Tag Archive for: #granvillecountynews

The Local Skinny! Dogs Deserve Better To Hold Quarter Auction

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“Dogs Deserve Better Piedmont” is sponsoring its 3rd annual “Puppy Love” Quarter Auction later this month at The Barn at Vino in Stem.

This chapter of the nonprofit organization is based in Granville County, and it serves neighboring counties including Vance, Person, Wake and Franklin. Lucy Poynton joined WIZS’s Bill Harris Monday to launch a new segment of The Local Skinny! Called “Pets and People.”

The doors open at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, Poynton said. There will be food trucks and vendors on hand in advance of the 7 p.m. auction start.

Tickets are $10, but if you’re interested in attending, don’t wait – 80 percent of the tickets have already been sold.

Poynton said she and her small band of volunteers have been working for the past 3 ½ years or so to help get dogs off tethers.

“We’d drive around and see a lot of outdoor, chained dogs,” she said. The money the group raises pays for materials to construct 10-foot by 20-foot kennels for the dogs, and other items like dog houses, straw for winter bedding and flea and tick collars.

She estimates that the organization has “unchained” close to 140 dogs, distributed hundreds of flea/tick collars and helped with urgent vet care, including spay/neuter, for 65 animals.

They occasionally will help provide spay/neuter services for cats as well, although the focus is on providing items for dogs – from kennels to toys – “anything to make their life a little better.”

The Barn at Vino is located at 3200 Bliss Trail, Stem, NC 27581.

Contact dddpiedmont@dogsdeservebetter.org to learn more

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Ready, Set, Go! Hot Sauce Vendors Can Sign Up Beginning Feb. 15

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Are you ready for some hot sauce? Vendor applications will go live next week as the City of Oxford gears up for the 17th annual NC Hot Sauce Festival, set for Saturday, Sept. 9, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All applications and payments will be processed online, according to information from Alyssa Blair, Oxford’s downtown development and Main Street director.

The official online kickoff for early-bird registration is Wednesday, Feb. 15 and will continue through June 30; regular registration is July 1-Aug. 1. The deadline to submit an application is Aug. 1, but waitlist applications will be accepted until Sept. 1.

Stay up-to-date on all the latest information at Hot Sauce Facebook page.

Granville CTE Students Have Internship Opportunities

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One of the ways that Granville County Public Schools is observing CTE Month in its district is by sharing information about internships that give students job experience while earning high school credit.

During the internship period, students gain experiences and skills that promote their learning and skill set related to a career or a career pathway, according to GCPS Public Information Officer Dr. Stan Winborne.

Interns must complete 120 hours to earn the credit, but they gain so much more – from observing and participating in the daily operations of the business to having unique access to particular careers and performing specific job tasks related to the business.

The teacher, student and the business community jointly formulate the details of the internships, which can be paid or unpaid, Winborne noted.

Oxford Parks and Recreation has had interns in the past, and Director Tina Cheek said it’s been a positive experience.

“Our past interns have allowed us opportunities to train and teach new skills as well as share experiences within the department. Interns allow us the opportunity to gain a fresh perspective on things we do every day. Hosting an intern is definitely a win-win,” Cheek stated.

Students get to develop those “real-world” skills that employers find desirable: time management, perseverance, problem-solving and teamwork, just to name a few.

Sound good?

To be eligible for an internship opportunity, a student must be a CTE concentrator – which means having successfully completed a second-level CTE course in a career pathway. Students can obtain their own internship site or they can ask for assistance from their CTE teacher or from GCPS Career Development Coordinator Tamara Rodebaugh.

Business leaders who would like to join the internship program can contact Rodebaugh at rodebaughtw@gcs.k12.nc.us.

3 Granville Residents Charged In Marijuana Growing Operation

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Three people face felony charges after state and local law enforcement officials executed search warrants and seized marijuana, liquid THC, non-tax paid liquor and cash in Granville County late last month.

Personnel with the Granville County Sheriff’s Office and state ALE special agents seized more than 200 pounds of marijuana, more than 20 pounds of liquid THC, non-tax paid liquor and a large sum of cash on Jan. 26 as part of an investigation into an illegal outlet and marijuana growing operation along NC Hwy. 96, according to information from the N.C. Department of Public Safety’s Alcohol Law Enforcement division.

Dalton Huff and Alyssa Vaughn, both of Oxford, were charged with the illegal possession and possession for sale of alcoholic beverages as well as numerous other felony and misdemeanor offenses including manufacturing and trafficking of marijuana. Linda Huff, also of Oxford, was charged with felony conspiracy. 

The Local Skinny! Around Old Granville with Mark Pace

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Watch out, Oxford. Your tiny neighbor to the south is gaining on you. It will only take a couple of hundred more people to stake the claim of being the largest town in Granville County.

That, according to local historian Mark Pace, who talked with WIZS’s Bill Harris for the “Around Old Granville” segment of The Local Skinny! Monday.

Butner’s growth today, however, pales in comparison to the early to mid-1940’s when the U.S. government built Camp Butner as it was gearing up for World War II.

Pace said William B. Umstead and his brother John were instrumental in getting the federal government to locate Camp Butner in the southwest corner of the county, close to a big city (Durham), but not “too” close, Pace said.

Construction began in February 1942, on more than 4,000 acres of mostly farmland, much of which had been owned and worked by families for 200 years or more.

“It was amazing how quickly it was built,” Pace said. Within five months, there were numerous structures, including an armory, sports building and a water tower, all of which are standing today.

“They had 15,000 people working 24-7 to build that camp,” Pace said. And because it was a federal project, the state’s segregation laws were superseded by federal jurisdiction, which meant that for the first time, African Americans were hired the same as their White counterparts, he added.

Camp Butner was home for thousands of workers, civilian and military, but also for more than 4,000 German and Italian prisoners of war.

“So many farm people had been called up to serve, POWs would go and work farms,” Pace said. “And they’d get paid a little bit, too.”

After the war ended, much of the property reverted back to the landowners, but the footprint of Camp Butner became what is now considered the town of Butner. But until it was incorporated in 2007, the town was run by the state of North Carolina.

“Go to the town hall,” Pace said. “There’s a marvelous museum in the lobby” chronicling the creation of the town that once was known as Camp Butner.

 

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Oxford’s Vision Behavioral Health Services Walk-In Clinic Now Open

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Vision Behavioral Health Services is a new walk-in center in Oxford offers support and services to individuals in crisis. Local officials, health care providers and community partners gathered earlier this week for a ribbon-cutting to officially open the clinic, located at 111 Hilltop Village.

The center will primarily serve residents of Granville County, offering support and services to help people experiencing a behavioral health crisis in the same way an urgent care clinic serves people who need immediate help for physical health issues.

“We are humbled by the opportunity to serve Granville County, and understand the responsibility given to us today,” said Nicole Qualls, Vision’s owner and clinical director.

Donald Reuss, vice president of behavioral health and intellectual/developmental disabilities network operations for Vaya Health, recognized the outpouring of local support that made the walk-in center a reality.

“At Vaya, we’re thrilled to see this walk-in center come to life for this community,” Reuss said. “This is why we are passionate about the work we do, and none of it would be possible without the support from the people who call Granville County home.”

The new facility will offer an array of services to help individuals in crisis, including same-day assessments with recommendations for care, de-escalation, stabilization and safety planning. Other services, such as medication management and individual and group therapy will be available for individuals seeking ongoing support after a behavioral health crisis.

Granville County Commissioner Russ May also serves on Vaya’s regional board. “We can never give up or stop trying. We must explore a full array of tools, and this clinic, I hope, will be such a tool,” May said at the ribbon-cutting.

In addition to May, officials attending the event included Granville County Sheriff Robert Fountain Jr.; state Sen. Mary Wills Bode; state Reps. Frank Sossamon and Matthew Winslow; Granville County commissioners Tony Cozart, Jimmy Gooch, Sue Hinman, Zelodis Jay, Tim Karan and Rob Williford.

To learn more about walk-in crisis centers and the services they provide, visit https://www.vayahealth.com/get-help/walk-crisis-centers.

TownTalk: February-March Events In Granville County

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From handcrafted coffee mugs to murder mystery dinners, Granville County has a wide range of events to please just about everyone, including prospective brides and individuals who want to immerse themselves in a “Viking experience.”

Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen took a deep breath before reeling off a plethora of upcoming events scheduled for the next couple of months across the county. No need to take notes – find details of all the events at https://visitgranvillenc.com/

Here are some highlights:

  • The CupFull show at Cedar Creek Gallery runs through 26. The Creedmoor gallery will have hundreds of functional – and decoratef – handcrafted mugs and cups for sale. The gallery, open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., features local artists, as well as craftspeople from across the state, region and nation. Visit www.cedarcreekgallery.com to learn more.
  • It’s a “Party with a purpose,” Allen says, as Mardi Gras returns to Oxford on Friday, Feb. 17 at The Orpheum. This fundraiser benefits the local Boys & Girls Club and returns after a COVID-induced hiatus. Tickets are $75. Admission includes heavy hors d’oeuvres from local eateries and beverage tickets. A cash bar is available. Cocktail attire suggested – Mardi Gras mask optional. The popular selfie station will be open for photos!
  • The next night, Saturday, Feb. 18, head on over to Thorndale Oaks for a “Death by Disco” murder mystery dinner theater. Dig back into your clothes closets for those vintage 1970’s outfits – you know you’ve got ‘em. The fun is from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. “While you’re eating and having a good time, you’ll be part of a murder mystery,” Allen said. After the mystery has been solved, participants can show some of those smooth ‘70’s moves on the dance floor. Tickets are $75. Call Thorndale Oaks at 919.603.3701 to reserve your seats, and Allen recommends that those calls be made sooner rather than later. “I think this one will fill up fast,” she said. “This one is flat-out fun.”
  • Another fundraiser on the horizon will benefit our furry friends, Allen noted. The Puppy Love Quarters Auction takes place on 25 at The Barn at Vino. Bring your quarters and plan on having some food and fun from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., all to benefit the Dogs Deserve Better Piedmont nonprofit organization. A couple of food trucks will be selling food and there will be vendors on hand from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • A big event will be held Saturday, Mar. 4 at the Granville County Convention and Expo Center designed to provide some one-stop shopping for anyone planning, well, a big event. It’s called the Wedding and Event Expo, and Allen said it will bring a variety of planners under one roof to help anyone planning a special occasion, whether it’s a wedding, an “over-the-top birthday celebration,” anniversary or family reunion.

Representatives from local venues will be present during the 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. event, as well as rental companies, balloon artists, invitation and cake designers – just about anyone who can provide a service for individuals planning a celebration.

Tickets are $10. Visit https://visitgranvillenc.com/ and find a link to the wedding and event expo for details.

  • The Vikings are set to invade again this year as The Barn at Vino hosts the two-day “Viking Experience” on 25-26. “This is one of the most unique festivals we have in Granville County,” Allen said, with more than 30 characters in full costume interacting with participants throughout the two days of fun, merry-making that provide an “immersive experience through interaction,” according to the group’s website. Visit https://www.thevikingexperiencenc.com/ for ticket information.

Find details about these events – and more – at https://visitgranvillenc.com/

 

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Mills Appointed To State Economic Development Advisory Council

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Granville County Economic Development Director Harry Mills has been appointed to the North Carolina Economic Development Advisory Council, a statewide group that provides advisory direction and support to the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.

Mills was selected to represent the “North Central Prosperity Zone” along with Michael Haley, executive director of the Wake County Economic Development office.

Mills was appointed to serve on this council by the current members of the EDPNC board, according to information from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood. He joins the 16-member council which represents eight “prosperity zones” across North Carolina. These zones are determined by the North Carolina Department of Commerce and subdivide the state geographically to provide localized support for economic development projects.

In addition to Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin counties, the North Central prosperity zone encompasses Person, Alamance, Orange, Durham, Wake, Nash, Edgecombe, Chatham, Wilson, Lee, Harnett and Johnston counties.

“I’m excited to serve on the EDPNC Advisory Council,”Mills said in a press statement. “This is a fantastic group of professionals that work to improve the economic prospects of their communities and North Carolina as a whole. So many of the projects that come to Granville County and other parts of North Carolina would not be possible without the staff and advisory board members that work on behalf of the EDPNC. I’m excited to represent Granville County and I look forward to working with this group of my peers to attract new businesses to North Carolina.”

For more information about the EDPNC, visit https://edpnc.com/.

“Hog Farmer: The Trials Of Joey Carter” Showing At Granville Expo Center Feb. 3

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It takes a couple of hours to reach Duplin County from here, and many may recognize it as the home of Duplin Winery, or from road signs along I-40 you pass on the way to the beach.

But Duplin County also is the home of a former hog farmer named Joey Carter.

The Carter family farm became caught up in a federal lawsuit brought by neighbors against Smithfield Foods, and a recently released documentary recounts his story.

The film “Hog Farmer: The Trials of Joey Carter” will be shown on Friday, Feb. 3 at the Granville County Expo Center, 4158 US Hwy 15, Oxford, and then on Friday, Feb. 10 in the auditorium of the Person County Office Building, 304 S. Morgan St., Roxboro.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the film begins at 6:30, according to information from Kim Woods, livestock extension agent for Granville and Person counties.

Admission is free to the event. Donations will be accepted for the N.C. Agromedicine Institute in support of farmer mental health awareness and suicide prevention. There will be snacks and drinks available to purchase, with any profits also going to the N.C. Agromedicine Institute.

For more information, contact N.C. Cooperative Extension, Granville office at 919.603.1350 or Person office at 336.599.1195.

NJ-Based Food Company Opens Distribution Warehouse In Granville County

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A New Jersey-based provider of quality meats, produce and other delicacies to high-end hotels and restaurants has officially opened a distribution site – its largest outside New Jersey – in Granville County.

Local, regional and state officials gathered last week at D’Artagnan Inc.’s new warehouse and distribution facility, located in a section of the former Burlington Mills complex on Lewis Street, just outside Oxford.

The facility will create 23 new jobs and invest more than $4 million in the county.

“We are thrilled to have D’Artagnan expand into the southeastern United States with their Granville location,” said Russ May, chairman of the Granville County board of commissioners. “We want all our residents to know how important it is to have industries like D’Artagnan locate here.”

Glenn Livi, general manager and vice president of operations for the company, said he’s pleased with the experience so far. “I have never encountered a warmer welcome than we received when we first started investigating Granville County as a prospective expansion site,” Livi told the gathering. “From our first phone calls with the Granville County Economic Development Office through all the other stops along the construction process, we could not have asked for anything more. Granville County and the City of Oxford were nothing but professional and accommodating to our needs. What was originally projected to be a nine-month construction timeline was shortened to six thanks to all the local help and support we received.”

Founded by French food pioneer, Ariane Daguin, in 1985, D’Artagnan has three business segments that cover food service, retail and e-commerce in all 50 states.

“I would like to thank the members of the Granville County Board of Commissioners, the Granville County Economic Development Advisory Board, Wills Hancock and his team at Century 21 Hancock Properties, and the City of Oxford for their hard work and support to attract a company like D’Artagnan to our county,” said Granville County Economic Development Director Harry Mills.

For more information about D’Artagnan, please visit their website: https://www.dartagnan.com.