Tag Archive for: #granvillecountynews

Granville County Public Schools

Southern End Elementary Schools Could Shrink From 5 to 4 In Granville County

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The topic of school consolidation once again is circulating in Granville County, and the school board voted Monday to reconsider closing an elementary school in the southern end of the county and make it a middle school.

During a work session to discuss the matter of closing and consolidation, the Granville County Board of Education voted unanimously to move forward with making Creedmoor Elementary the new home of G.C. Hawley Middle School.

The updated study will be presented to the board at its Jan. 9, 2023 meeting, according to information from GCPS Public Information Officer Stan Winborne and a public hearing is scheduled for Jan. 17, 2023 at 6 p.m.at South Granville High School, 701 North Crescent Drive, Creedmoor.

The purpose of the hearing is to receive comments from the public regarding the proposed closure and relocation of the Creedmoor schools.

Members of the public wishing to comment on the proposed consolidation may sign up beginning at 5:00 p.m.  Each speaker who has signed up prior to 6 p.m. will be given the opportunity to address the board on this topic for up to three minutes.

View the hearing via livestream here:  https://live.myvrspot.com/st?cid=MDhkZj.

If the plan goes through, the attendance zones of five elementary schools in the Butner/Creedmoor/Wilton area would be redrawn to redistribute the students currently in the Creedmoor Elementary zone.

Portions of the current Hawley Middle School campus, including athletic facilities, would still be used by students and staff, Winborne noted.

New school board member Dr. Taylor Frederick made a motion to study additional middle school redistricting, K-6 schools and K-8 options in the future to be presented by staff no later than June 2023.

Additional information may be found at BoardDocs, at this link, https://www.boarddocs.com/nc/gcsd/Board.nsfto,

 

 

Representative-Elect Sossamon To Be Sworn In On Jan. 10 At McGregor Hall

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Frank Sossamon will be sworn in as the newest representative for N.C. House District 32 Tuesday and the public is invited to attend.

The swearing-in ceremony will be held at McGregor Hall on Jan. 10 at 6 p.m.

Superior Court Judge John Dunlow will administer the oath of office.

District 32 includes Vance and Granville counties.

During the run up to the 2022 midterm elections, candidate Sossamon focused on priorities which include generating local jobs, encouraging small business development, improving education and reducing crime throughout the district.

IRS Reminder: Dec. 31 Deadline For Certain Taxpayers Who Deferred In 2020

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If you’re an employer or self-employed and you chose to defer paying part of your 2020 Social Security tax liability, you have until the end of the month to make your second annual installment of the deferred amount, the Internal Revenue Service reminds.

As part of the COVID relief provided during 2020, employers could choose to put off paying the employer’s share of their Social Security tax liability, which is 6.2 percent of wages. Self-employed individuals also could choose to defer a similar amount of their self-employment tax. Generally, half of that deferral was due on Dec. 31, 2021. The other half is due on Dec. 31, 2022.

Earlier this fall, the IRS sent reminder notices to affected employers and self-employed individuals. The agency noted, however, that those affected are still required to make the payment on time, even if they did not receive a notice.

Employers and individuals have several options for making this payment. Deferral payments can made through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), Direct Pay, by debit card, credit card or digital wallet, or with a check or money order. No matter which payment option is chosen, it must be made separately from other tax payments and deposits. This will ensure that it is credited properly and will help avoid follow-up bills or notices.

Employers and individuals can make the deferral payments through enrollment in the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, a free service available from the Treasury Department. On the Tax Type Selection screen, choose Deferred Social Security Tax and then change the date to the applicable tax period (the calendar quarter in 2020 for which tax was deferred). Visit EFTPS.gov, or call 800-555-4477 or 800-733-4829 for details.

Alternatively, self-employed individual taxpayers can choose Direct Pay to pay directly from a checking or savings account. This service is available free only on IRS.gov/payments/direct-pay. Select the “Balance Due” reason for payment and apply the payment to the 2020 tax year where the payment was deferred. Direct Pay is not available to pay employment taxes.

If paying with a credit card, debit card or digital wallet, select “installment agreement.” Apply the payment to the 2020 tax year where the payment was deferred. Note that the IRS does not charge a fee for this service, but the authorized third-party payment processors do. Visit IRS.gov/Payments for details.

Make any check or money order payable to United States Treasury, not IRS. For more information on where to mail payments see Instructions for Form 941.

SportsTalk: Adcock Hopes To Move Up In Mariners’ Organization

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There’s that old baseball saying about a swing and a miss.  One has to wonder if that phrase hasn’t gone through Oxford native Ty Adcock’s mind once or twice.  Adcock is about to begin his fourth year in the Seattle Mariners organization and hopes this year sees him transition from the minors to the parent organization.  It’s been a tough road for Adcock so far.

After graduating from South Granville High School, Adcock spent four years playing for Elon College.  He started as a catcher but by his junior year was pitching and his college coaches saw that he had what it took to go further pitching and promoted him to closer in his senior season.  He soon caught the attention of Major League Baseball scouts and was drafted by the Mariners.

Things were looking good for Adcock but injuries and Covid has played a factor in his career. “I was hurt in my freshman year at Elon. I had a back injury,” Adcock explained.  He had fractured his L5 vertebra and then in his senior year shoulder issues appeared.  The Mariners felt it best to have him rehab all of 2019 so he didn’t throw at all.  In 2020 Covid came along and wiped out the entire season.

In 2021 baseball returned and so did Adcock, but not for long. “I was facing my 6th batter of the preseason when I tore my UCL ligament in my elbow,” Adcock said.  This meant that Adcock would have to undergo Tommy John Surgery.  After 17 months of rehab, Adcock is ready to get back to work.  He spent the autumn playing in the Arizona Fall League and is ready to start spring training in February.  “I’m 25 and that’s not old but, in baseball I know the clock is ticking,” Adcock stated. “I’ve got to make some big strides in 2023. I have to make a name for myself.  I’ve really got to show the organization what I’ve got,” Adcock added.

Perhaps, with a little luck, the phrase a swing and a miss will be applied to the batters that Adcock is facing instead of himself.

 

Lessons & Carols Service At Historic St. John’s Episcopal Church Sunday At 5 PM

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The historic St. John’s Episcopal Church in Williamsboro is the site for a traditional service of Lessons and Carols this Sunday, Dec. 18 at 5 p.m.

The community is invited to the service, which is fashioned in the style of King’s College in Cambridge, England.

St. John’s is the oldest frame church in North Carolina, and celebrates its 250th year in 2023.

In the days before the American Revolution, Williamsboro held a prominent position in the state. At one time, it was considered the prime location for a university – which ultimately was founded in Chapel Hill.

Early members of the church included John Penn, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Although not considered an active parish, St. John’s is maintained and supported by the Diocese of North Carolina and a dedicated committee made up largely of parishioners of The Church of the Holy Innocents in Henderson and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Oxford.

These churches, as well as the former St. John’s in Henderson and St. Cyprian’s, Oxford, are offshoots of the church in Williamsboro.

The service of Lessons & Carols is one of several held at the church each year, including a Homecoming service in October and an Easter service.

You can follow St. John’s Episcopal Church in Williamsboro on Facebook. (facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070992423730)

Granville County Residents: Access FCC Map To Confirm Broadband Data

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Granville County residents can help improve broadband internet access by confirming existing information that will be used to determine federal and state grant funding to expand broadband access throughout the county.

Residents can visit broadbandmap.fcc.gov to confirm data  collected by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on its new National Broadband Map, according to information from Terry Hobgood, the county’s public information officer.

This map displays where internet services are and are not available across the country, as  reported by internet service providers. The map allows consumers to easily dispute information shown on the map which they believe was not accurately reported by the providers.

“Granville County is constantly searching for funding and partnerships that can expand broadband access in the unserved or underserved parts of our county,” said Assistant County Manager Korena Weichel. “Accurate data is the first step to improved access.

Residents can help the FCC improve the map by submitting a “challenge” to one of the following points:

  • Availability challenges: If the information about the internet services available at your home or business is incorrect, you can dispute it by clicking on the “Availability Challenge” link on the map and submit the  form.
  • Mobile challenges: If the map of mobile coverage submitted by your provider seems incorrect, you can  dispute that by taking speed tests on your mobile phone with the FCC Speed Test App, available for both  Android (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samknows.fcc&hl=en) and iOS (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fcc-speed-test/id794322383?mt=8).
  • Location challenges: If the information about the location point of your home or business seems to be incorrect, you can submit a “Location Challenge” to correct the information on the location by utilizing  the link on the map.

Data from these maps will be used when making award decisions for broadband infrastructure grants, Weichel said. Internet service providers also will consult these maps to determine where they may be able to access new customers and determine when and where to install new infrastructure needed to improve access.

“Even though regulatory laws in  North Carolina prohibit county and city governments from owning or operating internet infrastructure, we are committed to partnering with internet service providers that are willing to make the necessary investments that  will bridge the digital divide and expand access to broadband internet in rural Granville County,” Weichel said.

TownTalk: Fundraiser Will Benefit J.F. Webb Athletics

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A pile of bricks has sat outside the J.F. Webb High School gym for the last couple of years, but they’ll soon serve their purpose, according to Webb Booster Club member Caroline Burnette.

That pile of bricks is becoming the foundation for a fundraiser that had been put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Burnette spoke recently on TownTalk to explain the project, which involves the purchase of engraved bricks.

The booster club is raising money for the school’s athletic teams and Burnette encourages Webb alumni, businesses and others in the community to be a part of the project.

Visit polarengraving.com/jfwebb to learn more or contact the booster club at jfwebbboosterclub@gmail.com.

Webb’s masonry students are going to install the donated red bricks outside the gymnasium. As the gray-colored bricks are purchased and engraved, a red brick will be taken up and replaced with the engraved brick, Burnette said.

“We can sell as many as we want,” she said, adding that once the first space is full, the plan is to move to areas near the football field and the baseball field on campus.

“This is a lasting opportunity – it’s going to be there for a really long time,” she said.

There are three price levels, depending on the size of brick purchased, she explained.

A 4 x 8 brick is $100, an 8 x 8 brick is $150 and the largest size brick is $225. In addition to having names engraved, there are hundreds of different images to choose from as well.

Burnette said some of the school’s sports teams are in dire need of new equipment and uniforms and this fundraiser will help to address some of those needs.

“It’s time to really support our kids,” Burnette said. “Please support our students at J.F. Webb.”

CLICK PLAY!

 

Former Granville Sheriff Gets 18-Month Sentence For Falsifying Training Records

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Former Granville County Sheriff Brindell Wilkins was convicted late last week by a Wake County jury on multiple counts of obstruction of justice and obtaining property by false pretenses.

The jury found Wilkins guilty of falsifying in-service training and firearms records necessary to maintain law enforcement certification for himself and other certain deputies under his command, according to information from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood. The court sentenced Wilkins to a minimum of 18 months in prison followed by two years’ probation. He was immediately taken into custody.

Wilkin, originally indicted in September 2019, faces additional criminal charges, including two counts of felony obstruction of justice charges arising from allegations that Wilkins withheld knowledge of a credible threat to kill a former deputy and that he failed to make reasonable and professional efforts to protect the deputy. Two felony and two misdemeanor charges relating to allegations that Wilkins failed to discharge the duties of his office are also pending.

Following Wilkins’ original indictment on Sept. 16, 2019, Granville County Attorney Jim Wrenn brought an action to remove Wilkins as sheriff of Granville County. On Sept. 23, 2019, Wilkins agreed to a consent order suspending his service as sheriff pending resolution of the criminal charges. Following Wilkins’ suspension as sheriff, the Granville County board of commissioners authorized Wrenn to lead an internal investigation.

Details of the above-referenced internal investigations can be found on the Granville County website at this link: https://www.granvillecounty.org/government/county-commissioners/special-investigation-reports/.

Russ May Named Chair Of Granville Commissioners

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Russ May has been named chair of the Granville County Board of Commissioners. Tim Karan was installed as vice-chair and newly elected District 2 commissioner Rob Williford was sworn in as the newest member of the county board during its December meeting on Monday.

May represents District 5 and Karan represents District 6; in addition, District 7 commissioner Jimmy Gooch was sworn in for his first full term on the board.

Each December, the board votes to appoint a new chair and vice-Chair to serve for one year. Cr May, who was first elected in 2020, was named vice-chair last year. This is Karan’s second turn as vice-chair, having held it previously in 2014-15. Karan chaired the board in 2016-17, having been first elected in 2010. This is his fourth term in office.

Gooch was originally appointed in October 2020 to fulfill the unexpired term of Edgar Smoak, who died in September 2020.

Karan and Gooch were sworn in by commissioner Tony Cozart and were joined on stage by their wives Liz and Wendy, respectively. Williford was sworn in by NC 9th District Court Judge Katherine Burnette and was joined on stage by his wife Lori.

Williford won his District 2 seat in November, taking the place of David Smith who retired from his nearly 50-year career in public service. Smith served three terms as a commissioner. He was sheriff in Granville County from 1998 to 2009, but spent close to four decades in various roles in the Granville County sheriff’s office.

The Granville County Board of Commissioners typically meet on the first and third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Granville County Convention and Expo Center, located  at 4185 US Highway 15 South, Oxford.

For more information, visit https://www.granvillecounty.org/government/county commissioners/.

Check Receipts To Avoid Scanner Overcharges

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Four area stores in Vance County and one in Granville County have racked up more than $20,000 in civil penalties as a result of excessive price-scanner errors, according to information from the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division.

These five area locations are among 70 stores in 38 counties across the state that were identified by the department’s standards division during the third quarter of 2022.

If it passes reinspection, the Raleigh Road Dollar General will not have to pay the $5,000 it was assessed. It has paid fines for excessive scanner errors earlier in the year. The other four stores – two Family Dollar stores and two Dollar Generals – paid fines ranging from $1,530 to $5,000.

“Our Standards Division continues to see a significant increase in stores with price scanner errors, as many stores continue to deal with staffing shortages,” N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said in a press release announcing the fines.

“During the holidays especially every penny counts, and we want consumers to pay attention during check out. Over the last year we have seen about 26 percent of price scanner inspections fail. It is always a good practice for consumers to check their receipts as well as the price on the shelf to make sure that they are paying the correct amount and alert managers if they are not correct.”

The department conducts periodic, unannounced inspections of price-scanner systems in businesses to check for accuracy between the prices advertised and the prices that ring up at the register. If a store has more than a 2 percent error rate on overcharges, inspectors discuss the findings with the store manager and conduct a more intensive follow-up inspection later. Undercharges are also reported, but do not count against a store.

Penalties are assessed if a store fails a follow-up inspection. In addition to the penalties paid, the store will be subject to re-inspection every 60 days from the last inspection until it meets the 2-percent-or-less error rate. Additional penalties may be assessed if a store fails a re-inspection.

Following is a breakdown of the information provided by the state:

• Family Dollar at 1414 East Andrews Ave. paid $3,715 in fines. An inspection in April found an error rate of six percent based on 18 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store also failed its previous three inspections and paid additional fines. The store passed inspection in June.

• Family Dollar at 901 South Beckford Drive, Henderson paid $5,000 in fines. An inspection in August found an error rate of 33.33 percent based on 100 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store also failed four previous inspections and paid additional fines. The store passed inspection in October with zero overcharges.

• Dollar General at 4500 N.C. Highway 39 South paid $1,530 in fines. An inspection in July found an error rate of 6 percent based on 18 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in September.

• Dollar General at 394 Raleigh Road was assessed a $5,000 fine. An inspection in October found an error rate of 27.67 percent based on 83 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store also failed three other inspections this year and paid additional fines. The store will be reinspected.

• Granville Dollar General at 108 Highway 15 North, Stovall paid $5,000 in fines. An inspection in October found an error rate of 17.33 percent based on 52 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store also failed and paid fines for three previous inspections this year. The store will be reinspected.

Consumers who would like to file a complaint about scanner errors they encounter can call the standards division at 984.236.4750.