Tag Archive for: #granvillecountynews

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Granville Co. Library System to Forgive Library Fees, Fines

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-Information courtesy the Granville County Government’s Facebook page

The Granville County Library System recently announced that it is forgiving all unpaid library fees accrued prior to January 1, 2018, and all library fines accrued prior to January 1, 2019. No refunds will be given for fees or fines previously paid.

Calling the initiative “New Director, New Year,” the system will also grant amnesty on all missing items that are returned.

This forgiveness policy applies to all four branches served by the system including the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford, South Branch Library in Creedmoor, Stovall Branch Library in Stovall and Berea Branch Library in Oxford.

For more information on the four branches, including locations and hours of operation, please click here.

Registration Underway for 9th Annual Warrenton Junior Firefighter Competition

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-Information courtesy John W. Franks, Chief Advisor, Warren County Fire Explorers

The Warren County Fire Explorers are now accepting registrations for event sponsors and vendors for its 9th annual Warrenton County Junior Firefighter Competition to be held Saturday, April 27, 2019, at the Warren County Recreation Complex in Warrenton, North Carolina.

The Warren County Junior Firefighter Competition is North Carolina’s biggest junior firefighter competition which attracts hundreds of teenaged firefighters plus their parents, advisors, and supporters from as far away as Tennessee, West Virginia, Florida, and Texas. Last year eleven different North Carolina counties were represented in the competition. An appearance from Duke Life Flight’s medical helicopter and rope demonstrations by the REDS Team from Wake County made it another very enjoyable year as well!

New For 2019:

  • Bronze Sponsor Level – based on the feedback we received, we added another sponsorship level. We now have a Bronze Sponsor level at only $125 for businesses that have a desire to help the Warren County Fire Explorers but don’t want a lot of costly complimentary bonuses in return. The Bronze level sponsors (1) get their name & logo and link on the competition webpage; (2) their name & logo on the Sponsor/Vendor Flyer; (3) they may contribute to the team welcome bags; and (4) business is recognized at the Friday evening social and at the Saturday field competition for sponsoring the competition.
  • Competition Website – We have added the Warren County Junior Firefighter Competition to the Warren County Fire Explorer website (https://WarrenCoJrFireFighters.ScoutLander.com) where teams, sponsors, and vendors can get information and download forms. Sponsors receive their name, logo and link displayed on the website.
  • Sponsor/Vendor Flyer – Sponsors and vendors will have their name & logo printed on full-color flyers distributed to the teams and other solicitations.
  • Food Vendors – Again, based on the feedback we have received, all food vendors will be grouped together in or near the upper parking lot this year.

Click here to view the Sponsor & Vendor Registration Form for more details. Please note that the form and payment must be received prior to Friday, March 29, 2019, to ensure that banners, printings, shirts, etc., are ordered in time for the competition. If you have further questions, please contact Lisa Pitzing at Liss.Pitzing@gmail.com or (252) 213-3815.

NOTE: The Warren County Fire Explorers is a county-wide coed career education program for youth 14 to 20 years old. The purpose of the program is to expose youth to firefighting, EMS, and public safety at an early age and to prepare members for a career in emergency services.

The Warren County Junior Firefighter Competition is hosted annually by the Warren County Fire Explorers as its primary fundraiser for the year. Proceeds from this event go directly to the Explorer Post to cover operational costs and to pay for their training and educational needs.

NCDHHS

NCDHHS to Offer Free Residential Testing Kits in Honor of Radon Action Month

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-Press Release, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)

As families button up their homes to guard against winter’s chill it is an ideal time to make plans to test for radon, the odorless, colorless gas that is our nation’s second leading cause of lung cancer. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon causes more than 21,000 deaths each year, making it the second most common cause of lung cancer deaths in the United States and the number one cause among non-smokers.

Because testing is the only way to know if your family is at risk from radon, Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed January as Radon Action Month in North Carolina, and beginning next week, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is making 3,600 residential radon testing kits available at no charge. The test kits will be available from local health departments and county extension offices in 32 counties with outreach efforts. Funds for the test kits were provided last fall through a grant from the EPA.

“Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas found in soil and rock that can seep through cracks in the foundations, walls and joints of homes,” said NC Radiation Protection Section Chief Lee Cox. ‘About 7 percent of North Carolina homes have unsafe levels of radon, based on data we’ve collected. That is why we urge testing of homes.”

Radon gas can accumulate and reach harmful levels when trapped in homes and buildings, as may occur during the home heating season, when warm air rises in homes, pulling air from the lower parts of the home where radon may enter. Elevated levels of indoor radon are a preventable and fixable problem with costs of mitigation to reduce the radon to safe levels ranging from $800 to approximately $2,500.

The NC Radon Program’s website offers links to certified professionals who can assist in testing or fixing radon issues in homes. Through mitigation, the naturally occurring radioactive gas is released harmlessly from under the home into outdoor air.

For those who are not in the counties where free test kits are available, homes still should be tested. The NC Radon Program web page has links to several retailers that sell kits, and they are also available in many hardware stores. Retail prices average below $20 per kit. The website also lists resources and a link to an instructive video, and provides information on its web page for families who may qualify for financial assistance to meet mitigation expenses.

For more information visit the NCDHHS’ radon website at ncradon.org.

DWI Suspected in Wreck Involving Henderson Police Car, Two Other Vehicles

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At approximately 6:13 p.m. on Saturday, January 12, a Henderson Police Department vehicle and two other vehicles were struck at the intersection of Dabney Drive and Beckford Drive in Henderson.

According to Trooper J.A. Thomas with the NCSHP, a gray Ford driven by Mark Sizemore, age 48, of Oxford was headed northbound on Dabney Drive when he struck the three vehicles waiting to turn left onto Beckford Drive.

Sizemore was arrested under suspicion of DWI at the scene. His bond was set at $3,000.

The collision was investigated by the NCSHP. According to Trooper Thomas, no serious injuries were reported, though several occupants received treatment at nearby Maria Parham Health.

On Saturday, January 12, a Henderson Police Department vehicle and two other vehicles were struck at the intersection of Dabney Drive and Beckford Drive in Henderson. The driver that struck the vehicles, Mark Sizemore (48) of Oxford, was arrested under suspicion of DWI. (Photo Credit: HPD)

Former WRAL-TV Anchor Bill Leslie to Speak at Annual Granville Co. Chamber Banquet

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— Information and photo courtesy Granville County Chamber of Commerce | Ginnie Currin, Executive Director ~ 919-693-6125 ~ ginnie@granville-chamber.com

In celebration of 77 years, the Granville County Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors announces that the annual banquet will be held Monday evening, January 28, 2019.

Banquet sponsors are BB&T, CERTAINTEED, DUKE ENERGY; GRANVILLE HEALTH SYSTEM, HICKS AND WRENN, LLP, THE SCHOOL OF GRAPHIC ARTS and VANNESS CHEVROLET.   

The evening’s presenter is well-known, retired, WRAL-TV anchor desk personality, Bill Leslie.  “Bill Leslie is an award-winning journalist and internationally acclaimed musician and composer. He retired from the anchor desk in 2018 after 34 years at WRAL-TV.

Retired WRAL-TV anchor and accomplished musician, Bill Leslie, will serve as the presenter at the 2019 Granville County Chamber of Commerce Banquet.

Bill has won more than 70 major news awards including two Peabody Awards, considered the Pulitzer Prize of broadcasting, along with five Emmys. As a veteran anchorman and environmental reporter for WRAL Television in Raleigh, Bill produced more than a dozen award-winning documentaries.

Famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma called Leslie ‘one of the greats in modern Celtic music.’  All eight of the CD’s produced by Bill have hit at or near the top of the world music charts. Leslie, who plays guitar, piano and Celtic whistle was named ‘Best New Artist’ worldwide by the NAR in 2005. He currently plays with a Raleigh based Celtic/Folk ensemble.

Bill’s orchestral composition Tall Ships was named the official song of the 2006 America Parade of Sail. His music has been performed by the North Carolina Symphony and the Tar River Philharmonic Orchestra.

Bill is also a popular storyteller and author of a book featuring his father’s watercolors of Western North Carolina.

The evening will once again include the presentation of the Chamber’s most prestigious award, the John Penn Citizen of the Year Award, recognizing outstanding community service.

A buffet dinner will be provided. Tickets are $40 each. Corporate tables of eight, with reserved seating, are available for $300.  Corporate tables of 10, reserved seating, are available for $380. Reservations are required prior to the event. Checks or credit card payments are accepted by contacting one of the Chamber’s offices – 919.693.6125/Wanda, wanda@granville-chamber.com or 919.528.4994/Toni Anne, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com.

With Calls Increasing, Granville Co. Offers Tips on Determining 9-1-1 Emergencies

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-Press Release, County of Granville

Call volume at the Granville County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center has seen a steady yearly increase, with almost 43,500 9-1-1 calls received in 2018 and an increase of about 3,000 calls for service from the previous year. Most residents know to contact 9-1-1 in an emergency, but how can those who may need help determine what an “emergency” is?

An “emergency” is any situation that requires immediate assistance from law enforcement, the fire department or an ambulance. Examples include medical emergencies such as a heart attack or stroke, house fires, incidents of domestic violence, being involved in/witnessing a car crash or being the victim of/witnessing a crime, such as a burglary or theft. The general rule is to dial 9-1-1 any time there is a threat to life or property  – but if ever in doubt, residents should go ahead and call the 9-1-1 Center.

“When dealing with an emergency, every second counts,” Trent Brummitt, 911 Center Manager of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center, explains. “If you’re unsure, it’s better to be safe and let the 9-1-1 telecommunicator determine if you actually need emergency assistance.”

When calling 9-1-1, some tips to ensure that callers receive the best possible assistance during an emergency include:

  1. Stay calm and listen carefully to the questions the 9-1-1 telecommunicator is asking. Staying calm in an emergency is one of the most difficult, yet most important, things that can be done. The questions being asked, no matter how relevant they may seem, are important in helping get first responders to the scene as prepared and as quickly as possible.
  2. Answer all questions being asked. By doing so, the telecommunicator can better understand the actual situation, so that the appropriate emergency responders can be dispatched.
  3. Know the location of the emergency. This is especially important if calling from a cell phone because the telecommunicator who takes the call might not be able to pinpoint exactly where the call is coming from. If the exact address is unknown, look for any nearby landmarks, buildings or signage.
  4. Follow instructions. The telecommunicator on the other end of the line is trained to keep callers safe while help is on the way, such as providing instructions to administer basic first aid. Be sure to follow these instructions step by step until responders arrive.
  5. Stay on the line. Even if calling 9-1-1 by mistake, never hang up the phone until instructed to do so. Stay on the line until you can either answer all questions or inform the telecommunicator that you called by accident and that there is actually no emergency. This saves valuable time in having to call back to confirm there is no emergency, or possibly sending members of law enforcement with lights and sirens to investigate further.

Following these tips can help save a life, Brummitt reminds.

“Telecommunicators go through extensive call-taking training, as well as regular continuing education,” he notes. “They have a list of questions to ask, but each plays an important role in the type of help you receive and how much. For example, a telecommunicator may send first responders from the local fire department, as well as an ambulance, for a possible heart attack. Or he/she may send three fire departments and an ambulance to reports of a house fire.”

Posting your home address clearly and prominently at your entrance and on your home is also helpful in ensuring that emergency responders have the correct location. Using something reflective or illuminated so that it can be seen in the evening, as well as during the day, will also be of assistance during an emergency situation.

For situations that are non-emergency in nature, good judgement and common sense can go a long way. Examples of when NOT to call 9-1-1 would be to report a power outage or burst water pipe, to request information about road conditions, for help with minor first aid issues, etc.  For situations such as these, a separate line is available by calling 919-690-0444. This call will connect you directly with the “non-emergency” line of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center.

“It is important to remember that obvious non-emergency calls can take away valuable time and resources from those who need help right away,” Brummitt further explains. “We strive to serve the citizens, visitors and responders in the most effective way we know how. But if ever in doubt, please err on the side of caution and call –or text – 911 for help.”

To learn more about what do to in case of an emergency, visit www.nena.org or www.911.org. To learn more about the Granville County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center, visit www.granvillecounty.org.

Oxford Preparatory School Chooses 2019 Homecoming Court

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-Information courtesy Victoria Bradsher, School Director, Oxford Preparatory School

Oxford Preparatory School (OPS) recently crowned a new homecoming king and queen from amongst representatives of the senior class.

OPS Senior Homecoming court representatives included Camden Ross, daughter of Marc and Jackie Ross from Kittrell; Quincey Burreal, son of Yolanda Burreal also of Kittrell; MacKenzie Pendergrass, daughter of Amanda and Zack Burnette of Henderson; and Luke Overby, son of Tony and Angie Overby from Oxford.

OPS Interact Club President Avery Thomas and Vice-President Ey’Mania Alston crowned the king and queen who are chosen by the entire Griffin student body from the senior class representatives.

For the 2018/2019 school year, OPS Homecoming King is Quincey Burreal. Quincey is a senior who has been accepted to North Carolina Central University and plans to major in Business Administration.

Griffin Homecoming Queen for 2018/2019 is MacKenzie Pendergrass. MacKenzie is a senior who has been accepted to East Carolina University and plans on majoring in Nursing.

Other homecoming court representatives include:

11th-grade

Bryanna Kingsberry from Henderson, granddaughter of Dave and Lynn Nyquist and Ian Simmons, son of DeMarcus and Candace Simmons, also from Henderson.

10th-grade

Emily Faucette, daughter of Alan and Melissa Faucette of Oxford. She is escorted by Codie Johnson, son of Steve and Maggie Johnson of Oxford.

9th-grade

Zoe Holland, daughter of Tracy and Christopher Holland of Oxford and Jackson Edwards, son of Buck and Tina Edwards from Henderson.

8th-grade 

Dasana Williams, daughter of Craig and Tammy Williams of Oxford and Elijah Griffin, son of Christina Griffin and Grandson of Floyd and Joane Griffin of Oxford.

7th-grade

Peyton Purnell, daughter of Leah Williamson and Jonathon Purnell of Oxford and Jonathan Gouldman, son of Shannon Currin of Henderson.

Oxford Preparatory School Seniors Quincey Burreal and MacKenzie Pendergrass were crowned homecoming king and queen, respectively, for the 2018/2019 school year. (Photo Credit: OPS)

The Oxford Preparatory School 2018/2019 Homecoming court represents grades 7th – 12th. (Photo Credit: OPS)

 

 

 

 

 

National Weather Service

Winter Storm System Expected to Affect Portions of Central NC

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-Information and weather charts courtesy Brian K. Short, Director of Emergency Operations, Henderson-Vance County Emergency Operations and the National Weather Service

In case of a power outage, remember to tune in to WIZS Radio at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM with a regular radio.

Click here for the LATEST BRIEFING FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

You may report weather delays and cancellations by email to news@wizs.com or by text at 432-0774. Delays and cancellations will be posted on the WIZS Facebook page – click here – and announced on the air for this event.

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Forecast: Forecasted freezing rain amounts have increased while forecasted snow accumulations have been lowered.

Confidence: High confidence that the event will occur; moderate confidence regarding snow/ice amounts and impacts.

Timing: Wintry weather and its impacts are possible Saturday evening through Monday. The heaviest precipitation is expected to fall Saturday night through about mid-morning Sunday.

Amounts: Light snow accumulation is possible across the northern Piedmont and VA border counties with amounts ranging from a dusting to near an inch. Freezing rain (ice) accumulations are also possible mainly north and west of U.S. Route 1 with amounts ranging from a thin glaze to as much as two tenths (highest north of I-85 and the Triad area).

Impacts: Travel may be impacted by light snow and/or ice accumulations, particularly north and west of Interstate 85. It is possible that we may see some power outages with this event, but we do not believe they will be widespread.

 

City of Oxford Board of Commissioners to Hold Regular Meeting Jan. 15

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-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford

The City of Oxford Board of Commissioners will hold their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 15, 2018, at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room, City Hall.

Agenda items include:

Delegations by Walter Hurst, Executive Director of Families Living Violence Free.

Consider annual review and signing of the Code of Ethics for the Board of Commissioners.

Consider the issue regarding insurance benefits for retired elected officials.

Resolution for $1,500,000 in additional funding for the 2017 Water Line Replacement Project.

Consider adopting the revised 2016 Capital Improvement Plan.

Consider approving a Change Order for Park Construction – 2017 Water Main Replacement Project.

Consider authorizing the City Manager to sign a task order for the Construction Phase Engineering Services for the 2017 Sewer State Reserve Project.

Consider allowing electronic advertisement for bidding.

Request the Board of Commissioners approves the updated City of Oxford Water Shortage Policy.

Granville County Public Schools

Granville County Public Schools to Hold ‘Showcase of Schools’

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-Information courtesy Dr. Stan Winborne, Public Information Officer, Granville County Public Schools

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!!!!

We would like to cordially invite you to attend our “Showcase of Schools” on Saturday, January 26 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Granville Central High School. At this special event, every Granville County School will showcase their own exciting and unique academic programming and extra-curricular offerings.

Families will have an opportunity to learn more about our innovative choice program options and be among the first to complete their 2019 Choice Applications. We will have informational booths available with staff from each school on site so that you may get answers to all of your questions about student academic opportunities, educational program themes, transportation services and registration for the upcoming school year.

We hope that you can join us for this exciting event. We look forward to seeing you there!