Tag Archive for: #granvillecountynews

Granville County Sheriff

Granville County Sheriff Offers Tips for a Safe Halloween

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Press Release, Granville County Government

Although Halloween may be celebrated differently this year, there are ways to enjoy safe trick-or-treating. The Granville County Sheriff’s Office reminds residents to follow common-sense practices, along with adhering to statewide health requirements.

In some communities across the county, traditional house-to-house trick-or-treating is at the discretion of individual households and neighborhoods. If choosing to participate, the Sheriff’s Office asks that door-to-door treats – where candy is handed out to children – be limited. Also, please use hand sanitizer between visits. Households are encouraged to have hand sanitizer readily available, as a precautionary measure.

The Sheriff also reminds trick-or-treaters that a costume mask is no substitute for a protective cloth mask. Please remember to cover the mouth and nose, as required by the Centers for Disease Control, for the most effective protection from COVID-19. Social distancing is also required, as mandated by the State of North Carolina.

Other safety tips include:

  1. Costumes should not include any sharp objects;
  2. Only fire-retardant materials should be used for costumes;
  3. Carry a flashlight or glow stick after dark;
  4. Only visit homes with the porch light on;
  5. Don’t go inside anyone’s home;
  6. Travel only in familiar areas and along an established route;
  7. Watch for obstacles on lawns, steps or porches
  8. Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully;
  9. Walk, don’t run, from house to house;
  10. Throw away any candy that is unwrapped or has a strange odor, color or texture.

“The Halloween season has always been filled with enjoyment,” said Sheriff Charles R. Noblin, Jr. “If choosing to participate in trick-or-treating in your neighborhood this year, let’s make it a fun and safe experience for everyone.”

The Granville County Sheriff’s Office is now open in their new location at 525 New Commerce Drive in Oxford, in the newly-constructed Law Enforcement Center. For any questions or for more information, their phone number remains the same at (919) 693-3213, or you can send emails to granville.sheriff@granvillecounty.org.

Grassy Creek Picnic Shelter

Grassy Creek Community Center Dedicates New Picnic Shelter

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Press Release and photos, Granville County Government

A new picnic shelter was dedicated at the Grassy Creek Community Center on Saturday, October 24, 2020. The new structure was made possible through grant funding provided by the Granville County Parks, Greenways and Recreation Advisory Committee, and was approved by Granville County’s Board of Commissioners for the 2019/2020 fiscal year.

Granville County’s Parks, Greenways and Recreation programming funds are used to develop and support active and passive recreation and leisure activities for the County’s residents. The objective is to make these activities available to as many residents as possible, seeking to serve all age groups.

The new picnic shelter at the Grassy Creek Community Center was made possible through grant funding by the Granville County Parks, Greenways and Recreation Advisory Committee and was approved by the Granville County Board of Commissioners.

Additional mini-grants had been awarded to the City of Creedmoor, the City of Oxford, the Town of Butner, the Town of Stovall, the Town of Stem, Granville County Senior Services, the Granville County Chamber of Commerce, the Toler Reach Out Club and Hopping Frogs Forest School during the same grant cycle.

The Parks, Greenways and Recreation Advisory Committee includes 11 voting members, one from each County district and four at-large members. District representatives appointed by the Board of Commissioners include Allen Nelson (District 1), Reginald Tyrone Harris (District 2), Glenda Williams (District 3), Betty Lou Davis (District 4), Joshua Averette (District 5), Ivan Washburn (District 6), and Michael McFadden (District 7). Serving as at-large members are Mara Shelton, Marilyn Howard, Richard Rote and Ginnie Currin.

The new picnic shelter at Grassy Creek’s Community Center joins the addition of playground equipment on-site, funded and installed during the 2018/2019 grant cycle.

“The new picnic shelter, along with the playground, walking track and grassy areas at the Grassy Creek Community Center, provides a great venue for community and family gatherings,” said Justin Jorgensen, Granville County’s Senior Transportation Planner and Committee Advisor.

The Grassy Creek Community Center is located at 9121 Grassy Creek Road in Bullock.

Due to COVID-19, the grant application process was suspended for the 2020/2021 budget year. Applications will be made available on opening day of the next grant cycle. For more information about the Parks, Greenways and Recreation Advisory Committee, please contact Jorgensen at (919) 603-1332 or at Justin.jorgensen@granvillecounty.org.

Pictured at Saturday’s ribbon-cutting for the Grassy Creek picnic shelter are Justin Jorgensen, James Currin, Peggy Currin, David Smith, Travis Loftis, Pratt Winston, Ida Keeton, Sue Hinman, Ray Keeton and Zelodis Jay.

Justin Jorgensen, David Smith, Susan Hiscocks, Amy Sizemore, Francis Winston, Scott Loftis, Jr, Taylor Hiscocks, Scott Loftis, Rebecca Sizemore, Dylan Cash, Sue Hinman, Glenda Williams, Zelodis Jay, Easton Long, Michael Sizemore, Jeb Rector and Madalynn Long participated in the ribbon cutting for the playground equipment at the Grassy Creek Community Center.

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Board of Education to Create Task Force to Address School Closures

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

The Granville County Board of Education met in a special work session on Monday, October 26, 2020, to review and discuss school reorganization in the district.

Previously, the Board had commissioned the administration to prepare two separate, official studies for potential school closures. The Board had identified both Wilton Elementary School and Creedmoor Elementary School as the subject of the two written studies which were presented Monday night.

Following the presentation of both studies, the Board spent time deliberating and discussing the topic in detail, ultimately passing a motion 6-1 to defer taking further action. Instead, the Board will refer the matter to a special task force with members appointed by the Board Chairman to develop strategic thinking on potential reorganization models for the district. This task force could be convened as early as December 2020, following the appointment of three new Board members.

This effectively removed the possibility of any action being taken that could impact the operation of either school for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

GVPH Local COVID-19 Update as of 10/26/20

/by

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 26, 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

1,991 positive test results for COVID-19.

Of those 1,991, 1,311 are community-spread cases located across Granville County. Of those 1,311, 1,153 have been released from isolation.

Of those 1,991, 527 cases are affiliated with the prison system in Granville County and 501 of those 527 have been released from isolation.

Of those 1,991, 153 are associated with outbreaks at long-term care facilities, including 47 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 153 cases in long-term care facilities in Granville County, 112 have been released from isolation.

Five individuals in Granville County are hospitalized

There have been a total of 51 deaths in Granville County: six 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

1,156 positive test results for COVID-19.

Of those 1,156, 1,031 are community-spread cases located across Vance County. Of those 1,031, 889 have been released from isolation.

Of those 1,156, 125 cases 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 47 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 19 in the community.

Unfortunately, there has been a recent death in the community: a 78-year-old female passed away on October 23.

WIZS Note: There are 142 total known active cases in the Vance County community and 158 in the Granville County community at large at this time (excluding congregate living numbers). One additional COVID-19 related Vance County death and one additional Granville County death 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.

Green Rural Redevelopment (GRRO)

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

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-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.

Granville County Public Schools

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

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-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.

Granville Fall Clean Out

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

/by

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 County Public Schools

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

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-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.

U.S. Department of Justice

Convicted Drug Trafficker Sentenced for Escaping Butner Federal Prison

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-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 Instructional Tech Grant

GCPS Receives $680,000 Grant to Support Instructional Technology

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-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.”