-Information courtesy Pastor Cam Ford, New Horizons Baptist Church
New Horizons Baptist Church in Oxford will be having a Brunswick Stew Sale on Saturday, February 2. Quarts are $8 apiece, and you’ll be able to pick these up from the Granville County Shrine Club located at 706 Roxboro Rd. in Oxford from 9 until 11 a.m. that morning.
Please call Pastor Cam Ford for your advance orders at (919) 690-5287.
On Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program, Teresa Wimbrow, membership director for Franklin, Granville, Vance and Warren County Girl Scouts, discussed the upcoming Girl Scout cookie sale and benefits to the girls involved in the program.
This year’s sale will begin on Saturday, January 12 at 9 a.m. and will continue for several weeks. Wimbrow said the local area should be prepared for “girls ringing your doorbell or at your doorstep selling cookies.” As in years past, troops and adult volunteers will also set up cookie booths at local participating businesses and restaurants.
Cookies are $4 a box and proceeds go towards trips and activities for the girls. Flavors available locally this year include Thin Mints, Caramel Delites, Peanut Butter Patties, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Lemonades, Thanks-A-Lot, S’mores, Shortbread and the new, gluten-free Caramel Chocolate Chip.
For those on a diet or with specific allergies, there is even an option to purchase cookies to send to soldiers who are deployed. Operation Cookie Drop, as the program is called, celebrated sending its one-millionth box of cookies to soldiers last year according to Wimbrow.
Wimbrow, a former educator and basketball, volleyball and softball coach, has been with the Girl Scout organization for 10 years now and says she enjoys helping “build girls of courage, confidence and character.”
“We believe very strongly in the five skills that the girls learn – goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics,” Wimbrow stated. She believes all five of these skills, plus more, are used by the girls during the annual cookie program.
While Wimbrow covers the entire four-county area, she reported that there are five current Girl Scout troops in Vance County with girls ranging in grade level from kindergarten to 12th. “The smallest troop has five girls and the largest troop, at Vance Charter School, has 55 girls,” said Wimbrow.
Younger girls focus on self-confidence, social skills and self-esteem building while the older girls have more opportunities to travel and focus on leadership skills. Troops meet for approximately an hour and a half every other work where they work on improving these skills and earning badges. Wimbrow emphasized that there is a constant need for both female and male adult volunteers to assist with meetings and events.
Wimbrow said in her interview with WIZS that research has shown the positive effects of a childhood spent involved in Girl Scouts. “Research and statistics prove that being a part of Girl Scouts, the leadership organization that it is, serves them [girls] well later in life.”
One need only look at the high percentage of female Congress members and astronauts who were once girl scouts to see an example of the program’s success, said Wimbrow.
“There are a lot of long-standing Girl Scout traditions that are still in place, but as an organization, we have changed with the times,” Wimbrow explained.
The four-county area is part of the larger Girl Scout NC Coastal Pines, a council consisting of 41 counties. For information on the Girl Scout cookie program or testimonials from girls and volunteers alike, please visit www.nccoastalpine.org.
If you know someone interested in joining Girl Scouts, have questions or would like to volunteer, please contact Teresa Wimbrow at (252) 438-8103 or email twimbrow@nccoastalpines.org.
To hear the interview in its entirety, please click here.
-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools
At their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, January 7, 2019, the Granville County Board of Education approved a motion to close Joe Toler Oak Hill Elementary School at the end of the 2018-2019 school year. This vote passed with a 5-2 vote. At this same meeting, the Board also approved a motion to assign the students who currently attend Mary Potter Middle School to Northern Granville Middle School effective with the 2019-2020 school year. This vote passed with a 5-2 vote.
The Board then approved another motion that Mary Potter Middle School campus would remain an educational facility and data be provided to the Board of Education, by the Superintendent, of all cost options for the location of additional programs and for the Central Office to be housed on the Mary Potter Middle School campus. This vote passed 6-1.
In accordance with these decisions, district staff will begin the process of creating implementation and transition plans. Teams from each school will assist in providing input in determining new attendance zones, staff assignments, academic programs, and parent communications. In addition, staff will begin the process of gathering information for the Board related to the future potential uses of the Mary Potter Middle School facility so it may remain a vibrant part of the community.
For more than a year, board members have been addressing the issue of school reorganization in our district. The state of North Carolina provides essential funding for school districts based on the average daily membership (ADM) of students. With the increase in charter school choices in our region, the enrollment of the school district has decreased over the past several years. This has caused significant decreases in funding for the school district. At the same time, the number of school buildings has remained the same, with the facility usage percentages dramatically falling at some schools in particular.
To address this problem, the district has relied on fund balance (the district savings account) over the past four years to cover the budget deficit. This year alone, the district is projected to spend nearly one million dollars more than it is funded. Future projections indicate the district could soon face serious financial problems absent action being taken. School reorganization will save the district significant funds by making more efficient use of our facilities and staffing and will also decrease overall operational expenses. It will also prevent additional deep cuts from our academic programs and personnel who serve our students.
In considering these closures, the Board directed a series of studies and held public hearings to gather information and hear from multiple stakeholders. It is estimated that the closure of these two schools could result in savings for the district of more than $778,000 dollars each year beginning with the 2019-2020 school year. In addition, in October of 2018, the Board approved the merger of JF Webb School of Health & Life Sciences with the JF Webb High School beginning with the 2020-2021 school year. It is estimated that this merger will save the district more than $40,000 dollars per year moving forward.
The Board of Education plans to continue its work with efforts to save money and improve academic opportunities for all students. They will continue to address school reorganization in the coming months and will explore a variety of other options. One study that has already been authorized is the evaluation of the efficient use of facilities related to GC Hawley Middle School and the surrounding elementary schools. Additional considerations may be made as well.
As the board continues to work through these difficult decisions, the administration will still be laser-focused on providing the very best possible opportunities for the students of Granville County.
-Press Release, Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
Supporting the agricultural industry, impacting rural communities and stimulating economic development are key objectives for the 2019 NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission (NCTTFC) grant cycle. Funds will be awarded in the fall of 2019 for selected innovative projects.
Applications and information are now online at www.tobaccotrustfund.org for qualifying organizations. “This year the NCTTFC is specifically interested in job creation in current or former tobacco-dependent regions and funding projects that have the potential to generate additional income for farmers and those in the industry,” said William H. “Bill” Teague, NCTTFC Chairman. “Online applications will be accepted for innovative projects within North Carolina. Applicants can plan to start the projects in November of 2019.”
The NCTTFC was established in 2000 by the N.C. General Assembly to help members of the tobacco community including farmers, tobacco workers and related businesses. Its original funding was established through tobacco industry annual payments as a result of the Master Settlement Agreement. Funding is now appropriated to the NCTTFC which then reviews, selects and disperses the funds to grant projects.
Past NCTTFC projects include farmers market improvements, cost-share grant programs for farmers, training for qualified farm family members in community colleges and support of more than 30 high school agricultural education programs.
More information can be found at the NCTTFC’s website, or by calling 919-733-2160. The deadline for applications submission is March 8, 2019.
-Information courtesy Victoria Bradsher, School Director, Oxford Preparatory School
Oxford Preparatory School’s 6th-grade Griffins continue to excel. The first semester for the 2018-19 school year ended on December 19 and a number of students demonstrated high achievement levels. We are proud to announce the first semester A and A/B Honor Rolls for 6th-grade students.
Students on the A (Directors’ List) and A/B Honor for the semester will participate in an honors recognition ceremony on January 31.
6th Grade – 1st Semester A Honor Roll – Directors’ List
James Boone Allred
Elizabeth Jones
Jacquelin Jose
Marleigh Swanner
Hannah Twisdale
Caleb Watkins
Kennedy Wilkerson
Hunter Wade Woodlief
6th Grade – 1st Semester A/B Honor Roll
Andrew Jordan Adcox
Mary Virginia Bailey
Elizabeth Diane Baker
Ayla Kristine Batchelor
William Christopher Brooks
Emily C. Dail
Starling Davis Faulkner
Kaylee Brianna Gill
Cadence Hoyle
Holden Jones
Jetta Mangum
Sean Osborne
Violet Perry
Brandy Ray
Makala Roberson
Ellie Stock
Pearla Tabor
Sawyer Vaughan
Trevor Weary
Emily Grace Wilkinson
Macie Rae Wilkinson
District Attorney Mike Waters was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss, among other topics, the recent district restructuring and the process his office uses to determine which of a county’s felony cases to prosecute.
Waters and his office serve the five-county area of Vance, Granville, Franklin, Warren and Person. These five counties now compromise the 9th Judicial and the 11th Prosecutorial districts in North Carolina.
The recent addition of Person County came about through restructuring talks with the legislature that began several years ago and heated up this past summer.
According to Waters, one model that was considered by the legislature would have split Vance and Warren counties from the district and added them to an eastern district that included a coverage area as far away as Bertie County near the coast.
A second model included adding Person County, originally incorporated into the 9th District in 1976, back to the district and keeping the previous four counties.
“Myself, Tommy Hester and others spent a lot of time at the legislature this past summer working on keeping the district together and in the fashion that it came to be,” said Waters. “We thought it in the best interest of not only our district but also the Triangle that we have a DA a lot closer by than one that is a couple of hours away.”
Ultimately, the legislature enacted the second model into law, a set up that Waters believes will remain in effect for the foreseeable future.
“These five counties are essentially the Kerr-Tar Region. Economically we have a lot of connections, everything from hospitals to governmental services, but ultimately what we have is a crime nexus between these communities.”
Felony crimes in Vance County alone add up to almost 1,200 cases a year.
Waters offered the encouraging news that, while still high, that number is down from 4-5 years ago. “I credit the long, hard work that law enforcement has done in reducing that number,” said Waters.
Due to multiple factors including the number of potential cases, allotted court time, available evidence and the lengthiness of the criminal justice process in general, Waters estimates he is able to try 3-5% of cases.
Waters explained that a criminal case pans out one of three ways: enough evidence to charge but not enough evidence to convict; enough evidence to charge, but a plea agreement is made; a plea agreement is not made and the case moves forward.
According to Waters, it takes approximately 225 days to get lower-end felonies tried, while serious convictions such as homicides can take 16-24 months.
Even with these delays, Waters said improvements have been made in turnaround time over the years. “For example, it used to take two years for DNA evidence to come back; now it takes around four months – a tremendous improvement.”
Splitting his time between a five-county area, Waters schedules 10 sessions of Superior Trial Court in Vance County each year. Each session lasts approximately one week.
“With only having 10 weeks, we have to prioritize how to use it. We prioritize violent crimes and prior records,” Waters said.
In addressing potential concerns about the low number of cases tried, Waters stated prioritizing is a necessity. “I think everyone agrees that there are limits to the amount of government that we want to pay for. We don’t want our taxes to be so high and we don’t want to feel like our money is being wasted.”
To listen to the interview in its entirety, please click here.
-Information courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center
Ernie Haase + Signature Sound
Part of the JOY! Series
SPECIAL OPENING ACT BY VANCE COUNTY’S PASTOR FRANK SOSSAMON
SATURDAY, January 19, 2019, @ 7 p.m. ~ Doors Open: 6 p.m.
From its formation in 2003, Ernie Haase has built Signature Sound into one of the most popular and beloved quartets in all of Southern Gospel music. The group has traveled all over the world, offering energy, excitement and encouragement through its powerful brand of gospel music. EHSS continues to gain fans all around the globe with its unique performances and unmistakable four-part harmonies. EHSS is one of the most celebrated quartets in Southern Gospel History mentioned with the same “trailblazing” reverence as groups like The Statesmen Quartet and The Cathedral Quartet.
EHSS has sung and sold to millions worldwide, a feat that has not been accomplished by any other Southern Gospel quartet. From concerts in Latvia and India to South Africa and New Zealand, events all around North America, TV appearances on ESPN with NASCAR, multiple NBA appearances singing our National Anthem, and even a specialty tour of historic American theaters in support of the EHSS Broadway project featuring Les Misérables legend J. Mark McVey, Signature Sound is a world-renowned quartet that spans a wide variety of genres and cultures.
As group founder, Haase is a creative, hard-working tenor whose early roots with the unforgettable and legendary Southern Gospel quartet, The Cathedrals, helped begin his dream to form a powerhouse group of his own. Along with many appearances through the years on the widely regarded Gaither Homecoming Tour, his goal was soon accomplished and then some…as EHSS quickly gained an international platform in gospel music.
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound is both GRAMMY(R)-nominated and GMA Dove Award-winning, a radio favorite in the United States and internationally, and a leader in CD sales and long-form music video sales–with several RIAA(R)-certified Gold(R) and Platinum(R) DVDs.
Tickets may be purchased by:
DROP IN: 201 Breckenridge Street, Henderson, N.C. Monday – Friday 1:30 – 5:30 p.m
CALL: (252) 598-0662 (M-F 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.)
CLICK HERE: www.McGregorHall.org (Use the eTix official site, online fees apply)
(This is not a paid advertisement)
-Information courtesy Granville County Crime Stoppers
Sometime between Sunday, December 16 and Wednesday, December 19, 2018, an unknown person or persons unlawfully went upon the private property of a business located off NC Highway 56 East, Creedmoor, NC and criminally vandalized gas tanks of two U-Haul trucks.
Sometime between Wednesday, December 12 and Thursday, December 13, 2018, an unknown person or persons unlawfully went upon private property located off Brassfield Road, Creedmoor, NC and criminally removed a Ruger Mini 14 ranch .223 caliber gun with walnut stock and a Vortex Viper scope mounted on same.
Sometime between Saturday, December 8 and Friday, December 28, 2018, an unknown person or persons unlawfully went upon private property located off Dove Road, Creedmoor, NC and criminally removed a .25 caliber Royal gun silver in color.
Sometime between Sunday, December 23 and Monday, December 24, 2018, an unknown person or persons unlawfully went upon State-owned property off Will Suitt Road and Highway 15 South and criminally removed two rims and two tires from a mechanically disabled 1994 Mazda B-Series pick-up truck, white in color.
Sometime between Sunday, December 30 and Monday, December 31, 2018, an unknown person or persons unlawfully went upon private property off Will Suitt Road, Franklinton, NC and criminally removed a 33000 PSI Simpson pressure washer with a Kohler motor.
If you have information concerning these incidents, please contact the Granville County Sheriff’s Office at 919-693-3213 or call Crime Stoppers 919-693-3100.
THE GRANVILLE COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS AUTHORIZED THE PAYMENT OF A REWARD OF UP TO $1,000.00 FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST/INDICTMENT(S) OF PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE CRIMES. IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION CONCERNING THESE CRIMES OR ANY OTHER SERIOUS CRIME(S) IN GRANVILLE COUNTY YOU ARE ASKED TO CALL THE GRANVILLE COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS IN OXFORD AT 919-693-3100.
-Press Release, County of Granville
The Granville County Tourism Development Authority (GCTDA) is now accepting applications for the upcoming fiscal year. The 2019-2020 grant application period runs from Jan. 1, 2019 through April 1, 2020.
The primary purpose of the Granville Tourism Development Authority (GTDA) Mini-Grant Program is to stimulate and assist Granville County organizations and agencies in the enhancement, promotion and marketing of tourism and culturally-related events that create a known economic impact from visitor spending. This program is designed to establish activities and events which can eventually grow and thrive without direct funding from this grant program. Funding from the GTDA Mini-Grant should be considered as a supplemental resource only.
Primary consideration will be given to projects/programs with demonstrated/defined potential for positive economic impact to projects that promote travel and the GTDA’s mission of promoting the area as a destination and increase occupancy rates in Granville County through day and weekend visits. Events planned for off-peak times may receive higher priority and first consideration by the GTDA.
Applicants eligible for grant funding must be a Granville County-based community group, non-profit organization, county municipalities or recognized community within the county lines. For-profit groups cannot apply for grant funds unless the event’s proceeds will go to a community supported event (i.e. fundraiser).
Total funding of any event, project, or program will not be greater than 25 percent of the total project budget and will not exceed $5,000. Included with the request may be a one-time artist/entertainment allowance up to $1,000. If this allowance is granted, the GTDA expects the artist/entertainment source to publicize the event and to include the Tourism Development Authority in all advertisements.
Applications are available through https://www.granvillecounty.org/visitors/or through the Granville County Tourism Development office in Oxford. All applications should be submitted by email to angela.allen@granvillecounty.org, or in person/by mail to the Granville County Tourism Development office (124 Hillsboro Street, P.O. Box 820, Oxford NC, 27565) by April 1, 2019, at 5 p.m. The Tourism office is located inside the Granville Chamber of Commerce office in Downtown Oxford.
Grant information sessions will be held throughout the cycle. Visit https://www.granvillecounty.org/visitors/ or contact the Granville County Tourism Office at 919-693-5125 for more details about these sessions.
To learn more about this grant, contact Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen by phone at 919-693-6125 or by email at angela.allen@granvillecounty.org.
-Press Release, Granville County Library System
The Granville County Library System has plans to start off the new year with many new programs, services and events as several popular offerings continue.
Starting Jan. 10, a new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) program will be offered at the Richard H. Thornton Library on Thursday afternoons. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to participate in this weekly session, which will be held at 4 p.m. To learn more, contact Children’s Librarian Amy Carlson at 919-693-1121, ext. 212.
Every other Thursday from 6 until 8 p.m, “Game Night” is held at the Thornton branch. These fun-filled evenings, which include board games, cards and other friendly competitions, were introduced on Dec. 27, with the next “game night” scheduled for Jan. 10.
Computer workshops also continue at the Thornton Library in Oxford and at the South Branch. An introduction to computers is included, as well as email set-up and information on social media platforms. Sessions are conducted at the South Branch in Creedmoor every Wednesday from 2 until 4 p.m. and on Fridays from 10 until 11 a.m. at the Richard H. Thornton branch. Contact Adult Services Librarian Ashley Wilson at 919-693-1121, ext. 203 for details.
On Sunday, Jan. 13, a book signing by author Bill Massey will be held at the Richard H. Thornton Library. Massey’s new book, “I Learned More Than Them” will be discussed as the author describes his experiences as a middle school teacher in the Granville County Public School system. All proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to teachers to fund field trips for their students.
On Jan. 15 at 11 a.m., library patrons can enjoy a “potluck lunch” at the Thornton Library in Oxford. Bring a plate, silverware and a dish to share as “Lunch with the Librarians” is served, along with an opportunity to find out more about what is available at the local public library.
“Pop Up” libraries are offered every Wednesday at the Granville County Senior Center. From 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., the Granville County Library brings movies, books and audio books to the Center, which is located at 107 Lanier Street in Oxford.
Storytimes for toddlers and preschoolers continue at several library branches. The Stovall library has story time on Mondays at 10:30 a.m. and children can enjoy stories at the Berea site on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. The Children’s Library at the Thornton branch in Oxford hosts story time at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays. January themes include “Hats for Everyone” on Jan. 9; “Nursery Rhymes” on Jan. 16; “Snowmen” on Jan. 23 and “ABC, 1-2-3” on Jan. 30.
At the South Branch in Creedmoor, a “Teen Book Club” meets at 3:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. Teens can come talk about what they are currently reading, swap recommendations with friends and enjoy snacks. An “arts and crafts” time is also offered for teens every third Monday of the month at the South Branch. Call 919-528-1752 for details.
Meetings of the LEGO Club will continue in the new year for any interested participants. The club meets at the South Branch in Creedmoor on the second and fourth Monday of each month and at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Meeting are held at 3:30 p.m. at both locations.
There are four branches of the Granville County Library System, with sites in Oxford, Creedmoor, Stovall and Berea. To find out more about what the library closest to you has to offer, visit the new website recently launched by the library system at https://granville.lib.nc.us/.
