Tag Archive for: #granvillecountynews

Terry Garrison

Rep. Terry E. Garrison Co-Sponsors Bill to Expand Medicaid in NC

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-Information courtesy Rep. Terry E. Garrison, District 32, NC General Assembly

Yesterday, Representative Terry E. Garrison co-sponsored House Bill 5 (HB 5), a proposal to expand Medicaid in North Carolina and increase access to affordable health care for more than 500,000 North Carolinians, including approximately 1748 in Vance County; 759 in Warren County; and 1,672 in Granville County alone.

“I am proud to co-sponsor HB 5 which would expand Medicaid and increase health care coverage for families combined across District 32. This bill would help more than 4179 families in District 32 gain access to coverage, but the full effects would be felt by our entire community. North Carolinians shouldn’t be forced to put the health of themselves and their families on the back burner because they can’t afford insurance. We can and should ease that burden this year,” said Representative Garrison.

By introducing a bill to expand Medicaid as the first bill of the 2019 legislative session, state Democrats are signaling their number one priority is helping working families. In addition to making health care more affordable for hundreds of thousands of our people, this proposal would boost our economy and create jobs. According to an analysis prepared by the Center for Health Policy Research at George Washington University, if Medicaid expansion had occurred by 2016, then its impact by 2020 would have been:

• Created 86 jobs in Vance County; 24 jobs in Warren County; 80 jobs in Granville County
• Created $79.9 million in new business activity for Vance County; $11.6 million in new business activity for Warren County; and $87 million in new business activity for Granville County.
• Created $52.1 million in new county revenue for Vance County; $7.1 million in new county revenue for Warren County; and $49.7 million in new county revenue for Granville County.

According to state estimates, expanding Medicaid will overwhelmingly be paid for by the federal government. Any remaining costs would be funded by a small assessment on hospitals and other health care providers.

“Expanding Medicaid is good for our people, good for our economy, and good for our Rural Veteran families or those struggling with addiction, and I look forward to speaking with people across my district about why this is such a critical step we must take together,” Representative Garrison concluded.

Rural North Carolina has the most to gain from Medicaid expansion. Rural hospitals are struggling. Since 2010, five rural hospitals in North Carolina have closed and two have lost critical services like maternity and labor wards. But rural hospitals located in states that have expanded Medicaid are 84% less likely to close. Expanding Medicaid will keep the doors open on rural hospitals, providing vital health care to our communities.

NC Dept of Agriculture

First Round of State’s Agriculture Disaster Checks Headed to Farmers

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-Press Release, NCDA&CS

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced today that the first round of checks from the state’s $240 million Agricultural Disaster Relief Program of 2018 have been sent to farmers.

“More than $15.2 million in payments were mailed today, and a second batch will go out Friday, Feb. 1,” Troxler said. “By week’s end, we anticipate having around 2,000 applications processed.”

Nearly 7,000 applications for assistance were submitted to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as part of the program. The N.C. General Assembly unanimously approved funding in response to more than $1.2 billion in estimated agricultural losses from Hurricane Florence and Tropical Storm Michael. Gov. Roy Cooper signed the legislation into law.

The applications are being processed randomly and are not being done on a county-by-county basis. Complete applications, not missing any information or documentation, are being processed first. Applications missing information will require follow-up calls in order to be verified and approved.

“This is the most important thing I have worked on since becoming Ag Commissioner,” Troxler said. “Agriculture is the backbone of our economy and it was absolutely pummeled in 2018. Many farmers are hurting and may not be able to secure funding to start the 2019 growing season. While this money does not come close to making whole the crop losses, I hope it will help farmers get financing for the coming year and help jump-start the economies of rural North Carolina.”

A total of 70 of the state’s 100 counties received a presidential or secretarial disaster declaration, qualifying farmers for the program.

The federal government shutdown created some delays in getting applications processed, but work is continuing to verify and approve the remaining applications.

Applicants had to submit the Farm Service Agency form 578 with their applications, which includes acreage being grown.

Other information considered in determining payments includes the five-year average price for commodities, the county average yield and the county estimated losses, which were determined by an ad-hoc committee made up of county FSA officials, cooperative extension agents, forest service staff and soil and water conservation district staff.

Checks will continue to be processed weekly as they are verified and approved.

Groundbreaking Ceremony Planned for Granville’s Law Enforcement Center/Animal Shelter

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-Information and photos courtesy Granville County Government

Please SAVE THE DATE for Tuesday, March 12, 2019, for a “groundbreaking” ceremony for Granville County’s new Law Enforcement Center/Animal Shelter.

The ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. at the construction site, 525 New Commerce Drive in Oxford. The public is invited to attend.

History of Law Enforcement Center/Animal Shelter:

Granville County closed on 35 acres at 525 New Commerce Drive, Oxford in August of 2017. Situated just off of I-85, the location is easily accessible from Butner, Creedmoor and Oxford and is a short drive from the Granville County Courthouse.

For economies of scale, the Board also approved the addition of an animal shelter the following month, to be constructed on the same site.

Rendering of Granville County Law Enforcement Center – designs by Moseley Architects.

The new Law Enforcement Center will include the Sheriff’s Office, the 911 Call Center and the 176-bed Detention Center.

The new Animal Shelter will include additional kennel space and administrative offices for Animal Shelter staff and Animal Control – all under one roof – as well as a spacious outdoor exercise area for the animals housed there.

The building which will house the Law Enforcement Center totals 88,231 square feet. Almost 50,000 square feet will be dedicated to the detention center/sally port. A Sheriff’s office and 911 call center will adjoin this portion of the building and totals 24,790 square feet. A separate pre-engineered Sheriff’s vehicle storage and warehouse facility of approximately 6,000 square feet will also be provided on site. (The building now used for the Sheriff’s Office/911 Call Center is approximately 4,900 square feet, with the current Detention Center at less than 5,000 square feet.)

Rendering of Granville County Animal Shelter – designs by Moseley Architects.

Due to space limitations, many of the intakes taken to the current detention center are often sent to other counties each month. The new detention center will initially include 176 beds for both men and women, with an ultimate capacity of 250 beds if additional housing units are added to meet future needs.

The Animal Shelter facility will be approximately 8,500 square feet, more than doubling its current 3,800 square footage. In its new facility, the Animal Shelter will be able to provide kennel space for 40 to 60 dogs and 40 to 60 cats, an increase in the number that is presently housed.

In addition, the new shelter will have more outdoor room for any “roaming” livestock that is picked up from Animal Control until the animal’s owners are located. The goal is to increase adoptions and to decrease the number of animals euthanized due to space restrictions.

Construction is expected to be completed by June 2020 with the Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center to transition into their new respective buildings in the months following.

 

Wilton Express Library Back in Service; One of Three Express Locations in Granville

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-Information courtesy the County of Granville

The Granville County Library System announces that the Wilton Express Library is now back in service after being temporarily out of operation.

There are three Express Library locations – in Wilton, Oak Hill and Stovall – which consist of lockers, a computer kiosk with access to the library catalog and a book return. Materials can be placed on hold from home or from the Express Library site and delivered to a locker at the site by choosing this option when placing your “hold” request. Transit deliveries are made on Monday and Thursday evenings.

The Wilton “Express Library Center” is located at 2547 Hwy. 96 South, on the same property as the Wilton EMS Station, next door to Wilton Elementary School.

For more details, contact the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford, the main branch of the Granville County Library System, at 919-693-1121 or visit https://granville.lib.nc.us.

The Granville County Library System announces that the Wilton Express Library is now back in service after being temporarily out of operation. The express library is located at 2547 Hwy. 96 South, on the same property as the Wilton EMS Station, right next door to Wilton Elementary School. (Photo Credit: County of Granville)

Detective Doug McFee Retires from Granville Co. Sheriff’s Office

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-Press Release, County of Granville

After more than 15 years of service to the Granville County Sheriff’s Office and to local citizens, the retirement of Detective Doug McFee has been announced.

“Doug has been a vital resource to the Granville County Sheriff’s Office,” Sheriff Brin Wilkins said about Friday’s presentation. “He will be missed, but we wish him well in his retirement.”

McFee was recently presented a plaque from the Granville County Board of Commissioners for his work and for his dedication to the job. Zelodis Jay, Chairman of the Board, made the presentation at the Granville County Manager’s office on Williamsboro Street in Oxford.

McFee’s retirement is effective January 31, 2019.

Pictured left to right: Zelodis Jay, Granville County Board of Commissioners Chairman; Detective McFee; and Sheriff Brin Wilkins. (Photo courtesy the County of Granville)

 

 

Granville County Public Schools

GCPS Superintendent Delivers ‘State of the Schools’ Address (Video)

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– Video link provided courtesy Granville County Public Schools

Dr. Alisa McLean, superintendent of Granville County Public Schools, speaks to the community in a “State of the Schools” address on Thursday, January 24, 2019.

Please click the play button on the video below to hear her address:

 

Granville Vendors Invited to Participate in Upcoming Bridal Tour & Show

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-Press Release, County of Granville

Granville County vendors are invited to participate in the 2019 “Brides on Wheels” Bridal Tour and Vendor Show, scheduled for April 14. Brides planning a 2019-2020 wedding will be taking a scenic tour on the “Bridal Bus” to learn more about wedding locations and resources available to help plan the “perfect” event.

The day includes a stop at four wedding/reception venues, as well as early access to a Vendor Show at the Clarion Inn and Suites on Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue in Oxford. Florists, photographers, caterers, event planners, disc jockeys, designer table and chair-hire companies, etc. will be set up to welcome the new brides – and members of the public – to display a variety of wedding service options. The Vendor Show will be open from noon until 4 p.m., with tickets now available to attend.

Vendors interested in participating in this show – a special feature of the “Brides on Wheels” Bridal Show and open to the public – are requested to register by Feb. 15. Space is limited, with first priority being given to Granville-based vendors. After Feb. 15, vendors outside of Granville County will be able to sign up to participate, depending on space limitations and availability.

Sponsorships for the Vendor Show are also available, as well as opportunities to distribute items to future bridal couples in “goodie bags” that will be given out to all who participate in the Bridal Tour.

For more information about the Bridal Tour’s Vendor Show, contact Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen by phone at 919-693-6125 or by email at angela.allen@granvillecounty.org. Brides who would like to save a seat on the “Brides on Wheels” limo-style tour bus can register at https://bridesonwheels2019.eventbrite.com.

Participants hear from vendors at Thorndale Oaks in Oxford during the 2018 Bridal Tour and Show. (Photo Credit: Angela Allen, Granville Co. Tourism)

Thorndale Oaks features an elegant bridal table setting during the 2018 Bridal Tour and Show. (Photo Credit: Angela Allen, Granville Co. Tourism)

Granville County Logo

Granville Co. Social Services Accepting Applications for Energy Assistance

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-Press Release, County of Granville

The Granville County Department of Social Services is currently accepting applications for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). Applications will be taken through March 31, 2019, or until funds are exhausted.

This program provides assistance to local residents for payment of their heating bills. To be eligible, applicants must meet income and resource requirements and be responsible for payment of their own energy bill.

All interested in completing an application should bring valid Identification and provide Social Security numbers for everyone in the household, as well as proof of income for the prior month. Applicants should also provide a copy of their heating bill – which includes account number – and a bank statement. If applying for someone else, a statement giving permission to apply on that person’s behalf will also be required.

The Granville County Department of Social Services is located at 410 W. Spring Street in Oxford. For more information, contact Social Services at (919) 693-1511. Visit granvillecounty.org for more details about the programs and services provided by the local Social Services Department.

Granville Co. Librarians Announce Exciting New Year’s Initiative, Upcoming Events

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Granville County Library System staff Ashley Wilson, Adult Services Librarian, and Amy Kemp, Children’s Librarian, were the guests of honor on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program.

With four branches, including the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford, the South Branch in Creedmoor, the Berea Branch and the Stovall Branch, the library system offers a variety of programming and initiatives for the communities it serves.

The newest initiative, referred to as “New Director, New Year,” forgives library fines accrued prior to January 1, 2019, and fees prior to January 1, 2018. Amnesty has also been granted on all lost and missing books.

“We’ve received excellent feedback and we are getting our materials back,” said Wilson. “We feel there are people who felt driven away from the library because of an unpaid fee or a lost book. We want to invite everyone back to the library system.”

No refunds will be given for fines or fees previously paid.

Ashley Wilson (left), Adult Services Librarian, and Amy Kemp (right), Children’s Librarian for the Granville County Library System, discuss upcoming and ongoing library events on WIZS’ Town Talk program. (Photo Credit: WIZS)

The library system has also recently launched a new webpage that provides detailed information regarding upcoming programs and events as well as operating hours and locations for all four branches.

When asked about the part a physical library plays in the new digital age, Kemp responded, “There used to be more public community places; a lot of that has died away. We hold on to the library as one of the last true community spaces.”

Wilson said a love of reading often brings people in, but she has an answer for those who are hesitant. “For anyone who says they don’t like to read, I always say it’s because they haven’t found the right book yet.”

In addition to a large selection of written material, the Granville County library branches offer meeting rooms for community groups, computers and computer training, children’s services for education and entertainment and much more.

“I often hear people say that libraries are going out of style, but I don’t think that’s the case,” said Kemp.

“I think it’s a false, dirty rumor,” laughed Wilson. “It’s absolutely not true! Our circulation and door count have been up at all four branches.”

To keep the branches open and thriving, Kemp said it is important that others help spread the word on library offerings and upcoming events.

Wilson added that volunteers play a large role and that the library could always use “another people person.”

Supporting the library by becoming a member of the Friends of the Library program is also encouraged. Membership dollars from this program, along with money raised at various books sales throughout the year, help fund library programming.

Children’s Programming:

  • A new series of STEAM programming (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) is now available for kindergarten through 5th graders every Thursday at 4 p.m. at the Thornton Library. Each week, children will enjoy hands-on exploration of a new STEAM topic.
  • Storytime for toddlers and preschoolers is held at all four branches. Please check the website for days and times by location.
  • A “Teen Book Club” meets at the South Branch at 3:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. Teens can 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.
  • LEGO Club is held 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. Play begins at 3:30 p.m. at both locations and is open to kindergarten through 5th graders.

Upcoming Events for Adults:

  • Trivia Night with Tobacco Wood – Thurs., Jan. 30
  • Romantic Reading with Cynthia Abbott – 2 p.m., Sun., Feb. 10 – Thornton Library
  • Buck Meek and Twain Folk Rock Bands – 6 – 8 p.m., Thurs., Feb. 21 – Thornton Library
  • Dr. Christine Darden, American mathematician and inspiration behind the book and movie “Hidden Figures” – Sun., March 3
  • Shannon Christmas – DNA/Genealogical expert, 4 DNA kits to be given away – Sat., March 30

To find out more on upcoming events, complete a volunteer application or join Friends of the Library, please visit https://granville.lib.nc.us/.

To hear the interview in its entirety, please click here. 

Granville County Logo

Granville Co. Board Calls Special Meeting on Broadband RFPs

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-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Granville County Board of Commissioners

NOTICE of SPECIAL MEETING

All interested persons please take notice that the Granville County Board of Commissioners will hold a Special Meeting on Thursday, January 31, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at the Granville Expo and Convention Center located at 4185 Highway 15 South, Oxford.

The purpose of the special meeting is to review Broadband RFPs (Requests for Proposals).