#granvillecountynews - WIZS

Granville COVID-19 Testing & Resource Distribution Event – Oct. 29

October 26, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Green Rural Redevelopment, Inc.

On Thursday, October 29, 2020, a COVID-19 community testing and resource distribution event will be held from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Greater New Hope Baptist Church drive-thru parking lot located at 515 Raleigh Street in Oxford.

As of the end of September, Granville County is seeing a 2.9% rate of COVID-19 infections among the residents. This is a higher rate than the average in North Carolina, and in our rural community, the impact is enormous. This day-long event brings FREE, safe COVID-19 testing, free groceries for families and free personal protection equipment (PPE) to the residents of Granville County.

Broadening its commitment to the health and well-being of Granville County, GRRO’s Healing Hearts @ Home Program formed a community health initiative partnership with other organizations and agencies serving the county: Cardinal Innovations Healthcare, Duke Health, Granville Vance Public Health, Groundwater Solutions, Inc. (Genesis Project), Greater New Hope Baptist Church, Greater Joy Baptist Church and the Oxford Housing Authority.

To further help people impacted by the Coronavirus, Granville County residents who get tested at the event will also receive free groceries, PPE and access to a wide range of support services. Testing and distributions will be provided through drive-up service, with minimal or no-contact, in accordance with all precautions recommended for the prevention of the spread of the virus.

Creedmoor, Wilton Elem. School Consolidation Topic of Board of Ed. Meeting

October 23, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a work session at Butner-Stem Middle School on Monday, October 26, 2020, at 6 p.m. The Board will receive and deliberate on two school consolidation studies pertaining to Creedmoor and Wilton Elementary Schools.

Members of the public are invited to view the meeting via livestream. To join the livestream meeting, please use the following link: https://live.myvrspot.com/st?cid=MDhkZj

Members of the public wishing to attend the meeting will be required to wear face coverings and undergo health screenings before entering the building.

Mark Your Calendar for Granville’s ‘Fall Clean Out’ Disposal Event

October 23, 2020/by WIZS Staff

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Granville County Government

On November 21, 2020, residents of Granville County can bring recyclable and hazardous household items to the Expo and Convention Center in Oxford as the annual “Fall Clean Out” is held from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Due to statewide health requirements, this year’s event will be a drive-through, with assistance provided at each designated station.

On-site to collect items for recycling and safe disposal will be the following vendors:

Veolia – will be collecting paint, paint-related materials, household cleaners, old gasoline, drain cleaners, fluorescent light tubes and other hazardous household materials;
N.C. Department of Agriculture – will be accepting pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, weed killers, etc.;
Shred Ace – will be providing on-site document shredding;
Interstate Batteries – will be collecting car batteries, motorcycle/boat batteries, lithium/lithium-ion batteries, hearing aid and watch batteries, etc.; and
Granville County Sheriff’s Office – will be collecting medications, inhalers, sharps, diabetic supplies, ammunition, flares and fireworks.

In addition, scrap metal such as junk lawnmowers, broken appliances, bicycles and metal furniture will be accepted, as well as electronics (computers, televisions, laptops, printers, etc.) for recycling.

The Granville County Humane Society will also be on-site to accept donations of pet supplies, dog and cat food, leashes, collars, crates, pet beds, kitty litter and towels.

Last year’s event resulted in the collection of 6,200 pounds of paint, more than 700 pounds of pesticides/fungicides/herbicides, 3,100 pounds of electronics, 3,000 pounds of scrap metal, 5,000 pounds of shredded paper, 2,900 pounds of household chemicals and many more household items.

“We appreciate everyone’s efforts in keeping these harmful items out of the community and the environment,” said Teresa Baker, Granville County Recycling and Sustainability Coordinator.

For more details, contact Baker at (919) 725-1417 or at bakertd@gcs.k12.nc.us.

Granville Co. Board of Education Finance Committee to Meet Oct. 23

October 22, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

The Granville County Board of Education Finance Committee will meet on Friday, October 23, 2020, at 11:30 a.m. at 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, NC 27565 to discuss the 2020-2021 Budget Resolution.

For more information or a link to the meeting, please contact Mrs. Beth Day, Assistant Superintendent of Finance at dayb@gcs.k12.nc.us or Ms. Lisa Preddy at preddyl@gcs.k12.nc.us.

Convicted Drug Trafficker Sentenced for Escaping Butner Federal Prison

October 21, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announces that today, Richard R. Cephas, of Wilmington, Delaware, was sentenced to 18 months consecutive to the sentence he is currently serving for escaping from the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in Butner, North Carolina on or about April 1, 2020.

In June 2017, Cephas was sentenced by the United States District Court for the District of Delaware to a term of 66 months in federal prison – for his violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841 (a)(l) and (b)(l)(A) and 846, Conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine.

The conviction and sentence resulted from a long-term High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) federal wiretap investigation spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Drug Trafficking Task Force in Delaware. More about that investigation here.

As alleged in the publicly filed affidavit attached to the Criminal Complaint, Cephas had been serving the remainder of his prison sentence at the Federal Prison Camp in Butner, NC. On April 2, 2020, Cephas was placed in an escape status by the BOP following his absence from a bed count conducted by staff at the Butner facility. At the time of his absence, Cephas was not authorized to be away from the Federal Prison Camp. On April 20, 2020, Cephas was returned to custody.

“Several months ago, as the Coronavirus pandemic began, Richard Cephas, a convicted drug trafficker serving a federal prison sentence, tried to take advantage of the situation by using the threat of the pandemic as a way to avoid paying the price of his criminal activity,” said United States Attorney Higdon. “No one was fooled. Today, the U. S. District Court sent that message loud and clear by adding 18 more months – the maximum allowed under the Federal Sentencing rules – to his drug sentence. This sends a powerful message to Mr. Cephas and to anyone else who would try to use the virus or any other similar situation as an opportunity to escape justice.”

The United States Marshals Service investigated this case and Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Dodson is prosecuting the case.

GCPS Receives $680,000 Grant to Support Instructional Technology

October 20, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

On Tuesday, October 20, 2020, representatives from the USDA presented Granville County Public Schools with a grant of $680,000 to assist the school district with instructional technology.

Specifically, the grant which is titled, “Leading the Path to a Collaborative Future Via Virtual Conferencing,” will fund efforts to provide students with cutting-edge technology in video conferencing, distance learning and work-based learning opportunities through partnerships with local business and industry.

The grant will be used to purchase hardware, software and provide professional development for staff which will open up new learning and career development opportunities for students in grades K-12.

Left to Right: Gwen Loftin, Director of Technology GCPS, Robert Hosford, State Director of Rural Development, USDA, Dr. Alisa McLean, Superintendent GCPS. (Photo courtesy GCPS)

Superintendent Alisa McLean accepted the award on behalf of the school district along with the Director of Instructional Technology, Gwen Loftin, who led the grant application process.

“This grant will improve the quality education Granville County students receive on a daily basis,” said USDA Rural Development State Director Robert Hosford. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural North Carolina in building stronger and healthier communities, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”

In rural North Carolina, Granville County Schools will use a $679,000 grant to provide video endpoints within schools to create opportunities for video conferencing. This will allow for career exploration, teacher share of STEM courses, and professional development.

In receiving the award, Dr. McLean noted, “Granville County Public Schools continues to make huge strides in providing our students with high-quality learning opportunities. Our forward-thinking approach and eye on the future will place our students in the driver’s seat when it comes to their post-secondary education plans. I am proud to accept this grant award on behalf of the children and families for which it will serve.”

Also on hand to receive the award were Board Chairman David Richardson and Board member Dr. Greg McKnight. Mr. Richardson commented, “We are pleased to receive this grant as it will help promote and expand many of the exciting efforts to support our students already underway in our school district.”

GVPH COVID-19 Update as of 10/19/20

October 20, 2020/by WIZS Staff

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

The following is an update for COVID-19 spread and response in Granville and Vance County as of October 19, 2020. Granville Vance Public Health numbers correlate with the NC Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NCEDSS) data.

The county case numbers reported on the NC county map from the NC Department of Health and Human Services may differ from the ones reported locally as they are updated at different times and may change once residence is verified.

Granville County

1,922 positive test results for COVID-19.

Of those 1,922, 1,248 are community-spread cases located across Granville County. Of those 1,248, 1,138 have been released from isolation.

Of those 1,922 cases, 526 are affiliated with the prison system in Granville County and 501 of those 526 have been released from isolation.

Of those 1,922 cases, 148 are associated with outbreaks at long-term care facilities, including 42 at Murdoch Development Center and 95 at Universal Health Care.

The outbreaks at Central Regional Hospital, Brantwood and Granville House are no longer active.

Of the 136 cases in long-term care facilities in Granville County, 112 have been released from isolation.

Four individuals in Granville County are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 50 deaths in Granville County: five in the community, one associated with Central Regional Hospital, one associated with Murdoch Development Center, 21 associated with Universal Health Care and 22 associated with the Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Complex.

Vance County

1,109 positive test results for COVID-19.

Of those 1,109, 984 are community-spread cases located across Vance County. Of those 984, 858 have been released from isolation.

Of those 1,109 cases, 125 are associated with outbreaks at congregate living facilities.

The outbreaks at Kerr Lake Nursing Home, Alliance Rehabilitative Care, Senior Citizens Home and Pelican Health Nursing Home are no longer active.

Of the 125 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 97 have been released from isolation.

Four individuals in Vance County are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 46 deaths in Vance County: 14 associated with the Pelican Health nursing home outbreak, 12 associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, two associated with Senior Citizens Home and 18 in the community.

WIZS Note: There are 126 total known active cases in the Vance County community and 110 in the Granville County community at large at this time (excluding congregate living numbers). No additional Vance or Granville County deaths have been reported in the last week.

Additional Information

The number of those who have been ‘released from isolation’ is determined by the CDC Guidance for discontinuation of isolation for persons with COVID-19.

Please visit GVPH’s COVID-19 Data Dashboard (click here) for tables and graphs that are updated daily.

Granville BOE to Interview Candidate, Discuss Remote Learning Centers

October 16, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a work session on Monday, October 19, 2020, at 4 p.m.

The purpose of the meeting is (1) to interview a candidate for a vacant Board seat; (2) to receive information from staff regarding School Improvement Plans; (3) to discuss Remote Learning Centers;
(4) to receive information concerning the sign request for South Granville High School.

In addition, the Board will meet in closed session pursuant to G.C. 143-318.11(a)(1) and (3) to consult with the Board attorney.

Members of the public are invited to view the meeting via livestream. To join the livestream meeting, please use the following link: https://live.myvrspot.com/st?cid=MDhkZj

Members of the public wishing to attend the meeting will be required to wear face coverings, undergo health screenings before entering the building and cooperate with social distancing requirements.

Granville Co. Board of Commissioners to Meet Mon., Oct. 19

October 16, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy the County of Granville

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet remotely by Zoom conference call on Monday, October 19, 2020, at 7 p.m. for the regular scheduled meeting.

In order to adhere to the COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting may be accessed by a Zoom link. Please contact the County Administration Office at (919) 693-5240 to receive the registration link.

Public comments will be accepted in written format and must be received by Monday, October 19 at 12 p.m. by mail to P.O. Box 906, Oxford, NC 27565 or email to grancomrs@granvillecounty.org.

To view Granville Co. Board of Commissioner meeting agendas and minutes, click here.

Granville County Early Voting Dates, Times, Locations

October 15, 2020/by WIZS Staff

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy Granville County Government

Early voting begins Thursday, October 15 and ends Saturday, October 31, 2020.

Granville County Early Voting sites include:

Oxford Public Works Meeting Room (in lieu of Board of Elections) – 127 Penn Ave., Oxford
South Branch Library Multipurpose Room – 1550 South Campus Drive, Creedmoor
Tar River Elementary School Gymnasium – 2642 Philo White Road, Franklinton

Early voting will not be held at the Richard H. Thornton Library this year.

One-Stop Early Voting Schedule for the November 3, 2020 General Election

Thursday, October 15, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 16, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 17, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday, October 19, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 20, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 21, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 22, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 23, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 24, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday, October 26, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 27, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 28, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 29, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 30, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 31, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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