Tag Archive for: #granvillecountynews

White House Announces 6-Week Media Blitz To Encourage COVID-19 Vaccine, Boosters

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The Biden Administration has announced a six-week campaign through the end of the year urging Americans to get their updated COVID-19 vaccine. With winter and holiday gatherings right around the corner, more Americans getting their updated vaccine will help avoid thousands of preventable COVID-19 deaths.

Whether you’re watching a World Cup soccer match or visiting the local health department, expect to be informed – often – about the benefits of getting COVID-19 vaccines and boosters to promote community health. Ad campaigns and public service announcement across multimedia outlets and platforms are going to focus on senior adults and populations hardest hit by COVID-19.
More than 70,000 locations are offering the updated COVID-19 vaccines – the Granville-Vance Public Health has both the Moderna and Pfizer bivalent boosters, which GVPH Director Lisa Harrison said protects against the omicron variant. But this is the time for providers to think outside the box with pop-up clinics and other mobile settings in rural and remote areas.

HHS will continue direct outreach in communities with community partners and messengers to provide easy access to updated COVID-19 vaccines and information on the benefits of vaccination.

The new enforcement guidance ensures nursing homes are offering updated COVID-19 vaccines and timely treatment to their residents and staff, according to the White House press statement. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires nursing homes to educate their residents on the benefits of lifesaving COVID-19 vaccinations and to offer the vaccines to their residents. CMS will issue guidance today reminding health care providers of this requirement. In its guidance, CMS will make clear that nursing homes with low vaccination rates will be referred to state survey agencies for close scrutiny, and that facilities that do not comply with the requirement to offer and educate on the benefit of lifesaving COVID-19 vaccinations will face enforcement actions, including the need to submit corrective action plans to achieve compliance.

Hundreds of pop-up vaccination clinics to make it even easier for people to get their updated COVID-19 vaccines before the end of the year: National and local organizations, state and local health departments, K-12 school districts and higher education institutions, and pharmacies will continue to host pop-up vaccination clinics in urban and rural communities. Americans can also get vaccinated at ongoing events across the country run by schools, colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and state, county, research, and health fairs.

The “We Can Do This” public education campaign is airing TV and digital ads during the World Cup, as well as ads focused on reaching adults over 50 for Black, Latino, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, American Indian and Alaska Native and rural audiences.

The federal government is putting additional funding behind these efforts, including $350 million for community health centers to expand COVID-19 vaccines through mobile, drive-up, walk-up clinics with community partnerships and $125 million to get older Americans and disabled individuals vaccinated and boosted in vaccination events at senior and community centers, as well as providing transportation to help get individuals to clinics.

Free Rabies Clinics In Granville For Cats, Dogs

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Granville County Animal Management will host the first of two rabies clinics tomorrow at the North Granville Senior Center in Stovall. The Senior Center is located at 118 U.S. Highway 15 S in Stovall.

Dog and cat owners can bring their pets – dogs on a leash and cats in carriers – from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, according to information from the county animal management department.

A second rabies clinic will take place at Brassfield Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The fire department is located at 1680 NC Highway 96, Franklinton.

One-year doses will be available at the Stovall event, but the clinic at Brassfield FD will offer both one-year and and three-year doses. Pet owners interested in having a three-year dose administered to their dog or cat at the Brassfield event must bring proof of prior vaccination in the form of a paper certificate or official veterinary record.

For more information, please contact the Granville County Animal Shelter at 919.693.6749.

Funding and support for the rabies vaccine clinics is provided by PetcoLove, Granville County Government and the dedicated volunteers that work with the animal shelter.

Meat Conference Dec. 6 In Rocky Mount

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The Northeast District Local Meats Conference will be held in Rocky Mount, NC on Tuesday, Dec. 6. The conference is designed for individuals interesting in creating or expanding a local meat marketing business.

The conference will begin at 9 a.m. at the East Carolina Livestock Arena, located at 1175 Kingsboro Rd. in Rocky Mount.

Some of the topics that will be discussed include N.C. Department of Agriculture meat handlers’ licensing, as well as rules and regulations, labeling claims and laws about meat sales.

In addition, there will be information about carcass evaluation, and planning, marketing and pricing.

Lunch will be included. Pre-register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/northeast-district-local-meats-conference-tickets-419613434077

 

City of Oxford

Donate Through Nov. 22 To City Of Oxford Annual Food Drive

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The City of Oxford is sponsoring a food drive now through Nov. 22 to support The Help Center NC.

The 4th annual Thanksgiving food drive began Oct. 24, according to City of Oxford’s Alyssa Blair.

Community residents who want to make a donation are asked to bring non-perishable food items to Oxford City Hall.

Contact Blair at 919.603.1100 to learn more.

 

 

NC Forest Service

Forest Service Offers Veterans’ Discount On Tree Seedling Purchase In November

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To show its appreciation for service to their country, the N.C. Forest Service is offering a 25 percent discount on tree seedling orders placed by active, honorably discharged or retired military personnel during the month of November.

“North Carolina is home to many veterans and current military members, many of whom are forestland owners,” Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said in a press statement.

November is also National Veterans and Military Families Month, a time to celebrate both those who have served in the military as well as their families, for their contributions and sacrifices to the country.

“This discount is a token of appreciation as we honor them this Veteran’s Day and it also helps ensure the sustainability of forestland in the state.”

To qualify for the discount, proof of service is required. A valid military ID, Department of Defense Form  214/215 or National Guard Bureau Form 22/22A is acceptable. Standard shipping rates still apply. Tree  seedlings may be ordered by calling 1-888-NCTREES or by visiting www.buynctrees.com.

The discount applies to the first $500 of all new orders, up to a $125 discount.

The Local Skinny! Granville County is Ready for the Holidays!

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Granville County is chock full of events happening in November, and Angela Allen shared some of what’s going on with John C. Rose on Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

  • Cedar Creek Gallery just outside Creedmoor is having its annual holiday open house this weekend. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12 and Sunday, Nov. 13.
  • The Hub on Main’s Craft and Brew festival in downtown Oxford Saturday. A portion of Main Street will be closed off to allow for live music, alongside dozens of beer, craft and food vendors from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Tickets for the beer tasting tickets are available via The Hub on Main Facebook page.
  • Thorndale Oaks is having its traditional Thanksgiving lunch buffet on Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 11:30 am to 2 p.m. Call 919.603.3701 to reserve a table for this sumptuous event.
  • Turkey Trot to benefit Area Congregations in Ministry. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. outside the Oxford United Methodist Church and the walk/run begins at 9 a.m.
  • C.J. Harris is presenting Something to Do. Get together with family and friends. Nov. 25 Friday 7 p.m. to midnight. DJ Mike will be there playing your favorite Motown and soul tunes. Tickets $15 each or reserve a table for $20.
  • Grey Blackwell and friends are transitioning the Granville Haunt Farm “from scary to merry” with the opening of Granville Christmas Farm, a festival of lights celebration that will kick off the holiday season the day after Thanksgiving and will continue through Christmas. Visit https://www.granvillechristmasfarm.com/ to learn more.

Learn more about these events and more at www.visitgranvillenc.com

 

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Granville Commissioners Begin Roles With NCACC

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Two Granville County commissioners have begun leadership roles with the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners.

The NCACC kicked off a new term with the swearing in of new district directors, which include local commissioners Tony Cozart and Zelodis Jay, according to information from the NCACC.

Jay begins a two-year term as the District 8 director, which represents Granville, Person, Vance, Warren, and Franklin counties for a two-year term. Cozart will chair the group’s Public Education Steering Committee. He was appointed by incoming NCACC president Tracey Johnson to this role.

“I am honored to have been selected to serve as District 8 representative on the NCACC Board of Directors,” Jay said. “This role will give me the opportunity to serve the residents and advance the interests of Granville County as well as our fellow citizens of Person, Vance, Warren and Franklin counties on a statewide  level.”

Bridgestone Bandag Gets $450,000 Reuse Grant For Expansion Project

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Information courtesy of Terry Hobgood, Granville County public information officer

The North Carolina Department of Commerce has announced the award of a Building Reuse Grant in the Existing Building category to Bridgestone Bandag, LLC of Oxford. A $450,000 grant will support the renovation of a 225,000 square-foot building. Bridgestone Bandag will invest $1,623,990 into the project that will create 61 new jobs in Granville County.

“Granville County is excited to assist a longstanding industry like Bridgestone Bandag in receiving this Building Reuse Grant,” said Economic Development Director Harry Mills. “Granville’s Economic Development Office is ready and able to assist our existing industries with opportunities like this that help expand and solidify their presence in our community. Bridgestone Bandag is showing their commitment to Granville County with this major investment, and we are equally committed to helping them succeed.”

“Investments in rural North Carolina have a positive impact on our state’s overall success,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “This grant helps communities like Granville County create good jobs, improve the quality of life of their residents and boost the local economy.”

“I’m especially proud to see this latest spur of new businesses and job creation in North Carolina’s rural communities like Granville County,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “Building Reuse grants help local governments revive buildings in their communities that allow them to take center stage in North Carolina’s economic development wins.”

The North Carolina Building Reuse Program provides grants to local governments to renovate and/or expand vacant buildings or buildings currently occupied by existing companies that will lead to the creation of new jobs in rural counties categorized as Tier 1 or Tier 2. Granville is a Tier 2 county.

Bridgestone Bandag is a manufacturer of tread rubber used for premium retreaded tires at their location on West Industry Dr. in Oxford. For more information, visit their website:  https://www.bandag.com/en-us/index

Alyssa Blair Named Oxford Downtown Development Director

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Alyssa Blair has been selected to be Oxford’s downtown development director.

Blair is a familiar name and face in city government – she has been Oxford’s communications specialist since September 2019, according to information from City Manager M. Alan Thornton.

An Oxford native, Blair said she looks forward to her new role.

“I am excited to serve the city of Oxford in this capacity and look forward to working with all city departments and the community for the betterment of Oxford,”  she said in a press statement issued last week.

Over the past year, Blair has worked closely with officials of Main Street North Carolina and the Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation, Thornton said, and she has been “a crucial factor in Oxford’s  continued presence in the Main Street program,” he said.

Thornton said there was a strong field of candidates, and Blair “rose to the top” during the hiring process.

Blair has a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and conflict management UNC-Greensboro and has earned two master’s degrees – one from UNC-G and one from the University of Konstanz in Germany.

Currently, she is pursuing a master’s degree in public  administration from the UNC School of Government and has completed additional various courses  and training in communications and development.

In addition to her time with the City of Oxford, Blair has worked for Special Olympics  North Carolina in volunteer engagement and currently sits on the North Carolina City  and County Communicators (NC3C) Board. Outside of the office, Ms. Blair enjoys being with her family and her dogs, traveling, has several artistic passions, and likes to volunteer when possible.

TownTalk: Webb Boosters Raise Funds, Brick By Brick

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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 with John C. Rose on Tuesday’s 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.”

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