Tag Archive for: #granvillecountynews

20th Turkey Trot Brings In More Than 1 Ton Of Food, $3K For ACIM

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From all reports, the 20th annual ACIM Turkey Trot was a resounding success, and ACIM Executive Director Ann Riley more than one ton of food was collected for the food bank.

There were 469 participants who ran, strolled, trotted or walked along College Street, from Oxford United Methodist Church to the Masonic Home for Children and back. The morning was crisp, but not too cold, making for pleasant conditions for folks of all ages to walk for a good cause.

In all, 2,244 pounds of canned and non-perishable food was collected, not to mention $3,282 in donations, Riley said.

While most participants were out for a leisurely stroll, there were some serious runners who blazed through the roughly 2-mile course.

Here’s a rundown of who crossed the finish line first, along with their times:

  • Adult Male: Jason Jones 12:20
  • Adult Female: Carla Rodriguez 12:01
  • 1st Family: The Wilkes 15:24
  • Teen Male: Henry Hall 11:01
  • Teen Female: Maddie Crews 18:42
  • Child Male: Cohen Wilkes 15:38
  • Child Female: Arla Bowman 16:14
  • Pet: Dog “Cami” 25:25

Riley offered her thanks to all participants, “whether you came out to run, walk, fellowship, or just enjoy the morning, we greatly appreciate you!”

Oxford Cheer Elite Wins Big In Capital City Championship

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— Information courtesy of Oxford Cheer Elite

Oxford Cheer Elite delivered a powerhouse performance on November 14 at the Capital City Championship in Raleigh, NC.

Their Youth Infinity and Junior Odyssey dominated their divisions, each securing 1st Place. The Senior Halo earned an impressive 2nd Place finish. The program also received the event’s Sportsmanship Award, along with a cash prize recognizing their outstanding spirit and representation.

Senior Halo closed the competition with two headline honors: they were named D2 Grand Champions, taking home an electric guitar trophy. This honor is awarded to the highest scoring D2 team in the competition. Additionally, they earned a paid bid to the War on the Shore championship event in the spring.

OCE is proud of their athletes as they continue to raise the bar and showcase exceptional teamwork, talent, and sportsmanship. OCE is located in the new gym space on Penn Avenue in Oxford. Owners Stacey Long and Ayana Parker are elated with the success of the teams and excited about the season ahead, with the next competition taking place in December in Concord.

Granville Early College Senior Receives National Award At Gifted Conference

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Granville Early College High School Senior Lauryn Davis has received a national award for gifted students.

According to information from Granville County Public Schools Marketing Specialist Kory Scott, Davis was one of seven students from across the nation to receive the Dr. Martin D. Jenkins Award at the National Gifted Conference, held recently in Pittsburgh, PA.

The award is given to gifted Black scholars who excel academically and demonstrate outstanding leadership. Davis will receive a $300 scholarship, complimentary registration to the National Association for Gifted Children Annual Convention, a full scholarship to attend Purdue University’s (GER²I) Summer Residential Program, and valuable mentoring opportunities.

Granville Early College Principal Dr. Gwen Roulhac praised Davis for her dedication to excellence in academics and to work in the community. “Lauryn is gifted not only in her intellect but in her character, her compassion, and her commitment to making a difference. I am so proud of her!”

Horse Owners On Alert Following Confirmed EHV Cases In Texas, Oklahoma

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State veterinary officials are asking horse owners in North Carolina to watch for symptoms of a highly contagious equine disease following diagnoses of multiple horses in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said he encourages event organizers to take the outbreak seriously and consider canceling or postponing equine events like sales and shows “as the best method to protect horses from further exposure” to curb outbreaks.

Cases were confirmed Nov. 9 by the Texas Animal Health Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Currently, there are no confirmed cases in North Carolina. The disease, equine herpes virus, can develop into a neurological disease called equine herpes myeloencephalopathy, which can be deadly.

The extent of this outbreak is not yet fully known, and the situation is developing rapidly, said State Veterinarian Dr. Mike Martin. Symptoms in infected horses appear to be acute with rapid progression and high clinical severity. Reports of an increasing number of deaths in horses suspected of having EHM are concerning and underscore the need for proactive actions to curb the spread of this disease, Martin said.

“I encourage all horse owners, veterinarians and event organizers to take this current outbreak seriously and implement procedures to prevent further spread of the virus,” said Troxler in a press release. “I encourage event sponsors to take all necessary precautions to prevent further spread of this virus and protect equine health. Given the nature of this virus and routes of transmission, and out of an abundance of caution, I strongly recommend canceling or postponing equine events if possible as the best method to protect horses from further exposure until such time as the extent of the current outbreak has been determined.”

Clinical signs of EHV may not be specific, and some horses may not show any signs of illness. Look for the following symptoms in horses:

  • Fever
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Nasal discharge and cough
  • Depression
  • Head tilt
  • Loss of tail tone
  • Stumbling or weakness in the hind limbs that progresses to all limbs
  • Down and unable to rise
  • Abortion in pregnant mares

EHV-1 primarily affects the respiratory system of horses but can also cause severe neurological disease and death. Symptoms include fever, coughing, nasal discharge and loss of balance. The virus is transmitted through body fluids. It is highly contagious among horses but does not affect humans.

“If you suspect your horse has been exposed to EHV-1 infection, contact your veterinarian,” said Martin. “We request that horses with confirmed EHM or that exhibit neurological signs are reported to the state veterinarian’s office at 919.707.3250.”

All affected horses attended the 2025 WPRA World Finals and Elite Barrel Race event in Waco, Texas Nov. 5-9. The two confirmed cases in Oklahoma also attended the BFA World Championship at Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla., that was scheduled for Nov. 17-22. Due to the confirmed positive cases, this event was canceled, and remaining participants were sent home.

Some states may suspend extended Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (6-month Equine CVI) or may add additional requirements prior to entry. Please contact the individual state for the most up-to-date requirements prior to travel.

“These were large events attended by horses from many states,” Martin said. “Owners of horses that may have been exposed to horses with EHM should work with their veterinarian to establish appropriate biosecurity and monitoring protocols.”

Biosecurity and safety rotocols include:

  • Isolating the horses that attended the event for at least 3 weeks
  • Having the temperature of returning horses monitored twice daily for at least 14 days after the last known exposure. Fever greater than 101.5 may be the first indicator of disease.
  • Clean and disinfect tack, boots, equipment and grooming supplies. Wash hands.
  • If fever or other signs consistent with EHM develop, contact your veterinarian.
  • When feeding and doing chores, work with the returning horses last, wear boots and coveralls, and remove them before working with your other horses.
Oxford Police Dept

Off-Duty Oxford Police Officer Injured Friday In Traffic Accident Helping Pedestrians At Busy Intersection

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— From City of Oxford Communications Specialist Sabrina Richards

An off-duty Oxford police officer heading into work early Friday morning was struck by a vehicle when he stopped to help two pedestrians – one in a wheelchair – as they attempted to cross a busy intersection.

The unnamed officer was taken to Duke University Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, according to information from the city’s Communications Specialist Sabrina Richards.

One of the pedestrians also was taken to Duke or further evaluation and the second pedestrian was transported to Granville Health System.

The incident occurred about 6 a.m. along N.C. 96 – just north of the I-85 interchange – near the Days Inn, according to information from Richards, when the officer observed two citizens attempting to cross a busy intersection and recognized an immediate threat to their safety. The officer stopped to render aid.

“During this time, one of the citizens, who was crossing the intersection in a wheelchair, was struck by an oncoming vehicle. As the officer turned to assist the individual in the wheelchair, both the officer and the assisting citizen were struck by a second vehicle,” the statement read.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol is conducting the investigation into the incident. At this time, no charges have been filed.

The City of Oxford and the Oxford Police Department are grateful for the swift response of emergency personnel and ask the community to keep the officer and the citizen in their thoughts.

ACIM’s Annual Turkey Trot In Downtown Oxford Thanksgiving Morning

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Area Congregations in Ministry, Granville County’s food bank, is set once again to host the Annual Turkey Trot in Oxford on Thanksgiving morning – Nov. 27, for those who need a reminder – hopefully, College Street in downtown Oxford will be filled with walkers, runners and trotters from across the community for a fun way to support the efforts of the food bank.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. on the lawn of Oxford United Methodist Church and the trot begins at 9 a.m.

It’s a 2-mile course, so you’ll be home in plenty of time to baste the turkey or candy the yams before sitting down to your own holiday meal. Serious runners can complete the course in a matter of minutes, passing leisurely walkers on their way to the finish line. However you’d like to participate, there’s space for you – and babies in strollers and wagons, even dogs (just make sure they’re on a leash).

The price of admission? Just 4 items – canned goods or other non-perishable, shelf-stable food per participant – or a monetary donation and you’re in!

Thanks to generous donations from churches, individuals and other organizations, ACIM distributes needed food items to Granville County residents in need.

Visit https://www.acimgranville.org/ to learn how you can help.

Duke Energy

TownTalk: Avoid Utility Scammers With ‘Slow Down, Verify, Report’ Approach

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The phone rings and, when you answer it, you hear a recorded voice that says your power is going to be disconnected. All you have to do is make an easy, online payment to avoid a disruption in service.

Many consumers recognize this for what it is – a SCAM!

And as utility companies like Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas know all too well, their customers often must navigate choppy internet waters to avoid becoming victims of online schemes and scams.

Duke Energy’s Beth Townsend offers some tips to stay safe as the utility recognizes Wednesday, Nov. 19 as the 10th annual Utility Scam Awareness Day—a decade-long commitment to helping communities slow down, verify and stop utility scams.

Townsend said Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas will never:

  • Specify how you must pay
  • Threaten immediate service interruption
  • Ask for personal info or payment details by phone, email or in person

“If you’re targeted, hang up, shut the door, or delete the message,” she said. Contact your utility using the info on your bill or the utility’s official website. And if you ever feel unsafe, call 911.

Townsend, Duke’s East Region director for Government and Community Relations, said the utility received more than 5,600 scam reports in 2025, with 2,338 coming from North Carolina.

“Scammers often demand immediate payment, threaten service cut-off or request payment via prepaid cards or cryptocurrency. Utilities will never do this,” Townsend said.

The most common types of scams, she said, include disconnection threats, links to fake webpages, a promise to mail refund checks and utility worker imposters, she noted.

Customers can protect themselves in several different ways:

 

  • Slow Down: If a payment request feels urgent or suspicious, pause and protect yourself.
  • Verify: Always use the official phone number or website from your bill.
  • Stop the Scam: Report any suspicious contact to your utility and law enforcement.

 

Townsend included the following resources to report scams or to learn more:

 

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Granville County Commissioners Approve $25K Grant For Dill Air Controls Expansion

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— Information courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood

A Granville County manufacturing firm is expanding its footprint with a 20,000 square-foot addition to its existing facility.

The Granville County Board of Commissioners recently approved an incentive grant to Dill Air Controls Products for an expansion project at their Oxford facility.  Following a public hearing, commissioners unanimously approved an incentive package for an estimated $25,799. The grant will not exceed 65 percent of county tax revenues generated by Dill Air Controls for real and personal property. The final grant amount could change based on the actual tax revenues generated.

The expansion will result in the creation of new full-time jobs, a trend that is expected to continue as the product line increases as a result of the company’s expansion. Dill last expanded in 2016, creating twenty three new jobs and investing over $1.6 million in capital.

The project is expected to result in a projected total investment of $6.5 million. This includes a capital  investment of $4.5 million in real property improvements and $2 million in associated business personal  property, according to information from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood.

“Dill’s decision to expand operations at their Oxford facility continues to illustrate that our manufacturers have the advantage of stability and longevity for their operations in Granville County,” said Granville County Economic Development Director Charla Duncan. “Our Board of County Commissioners continues to show support to Dill with this grant, which sends the message that not only is Granville open for new business, but we value the role our existing industries play in our local economy. Where we can support them, we will.”

Founded in Ohio in 1909, Dill moved to North Carolina in the 1960s and has operated in the Oxford area for the past 20 years. The company employs more than 180 people and is one of Granville County’s top 20 employers. Dill is a global exporter that designs, develops, and manufactures products for an array of industries, including both the automotive and aviation industries. Dill’s customer base includes notable brands like NASCAR, Bridgestone, Caterpillar, Goodrich, Goodyear, Kawasaki and Honeywell.

To learn more about Dill Air Controls Products, visit https://www.dillvalves.com/

 

TownTalk: Fall in Full Swing with Granville County Tourism

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Granville County is squeezing a lot into an already-busy time of year, but Granville Tourism Authority Director Angela Allen encourages the community to jump in and embrace the seasons – you can walk, trot, run, eat, shop, march and drive your way through the various programs and events that will take place in the next few weeks as the holidays approach.

Downtown Oxford retailers are preparing for Christmas with a Holiday Open House Saturday, Nov. 15. You’ll see festive storefronts dotting the downtown district, who want to entice folks to shop local this season.

“Here in Granville County, we’re welcoming the season,” Allen said on Tuesday’s TownTalk.

Get all the tastes of Thanksgiving a week early at Thorndale Oaks on Nov. 18. Make reservations by calling 919.603.3701. The cost is $32.95 for adults and $19.95 for children.

The City of Oxford has refurbished its auditorium and rebranded it the OX Theater. Located within the municipal building at 300 Williamsboro St., the theater will host Shana Tucker on Thursday, Nov. 20 for “An Evening of Sade,” The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tucker is a cellist and a vocalist and, along with a band and backup singers, will entertain the audience with the smooth, sultry sounds of the singer popular in the mid-1980’s and 1990’s.

Burn some calories in advance of that Thanksgiving meal with the 20th annual Turkey Trot to benefit Area Congregations in Ministry, the local food bank. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. for the 9 a.m. event, which sends walkers and runners along a 2-mile path from Oxford United Methodist Church down College Street to the Masonic Home for Children and back.

Four cans of food or a monetary donation to ACIM gets you in – make plans to join in the fun to support the food bank mission of feeding hungry people in Granville County.

Once Thanksgiving is in the rear-view mirror, it’s full-steam ahead to all things Christmas, and Allen reeled off an impressive list of events that begin before all the leftovers are gone.

“I’m excited for the holiday season,” Allen said, “because that’s when I feel our community really sines and comes together – we’re creating community and memories.”

Find out all the details at https://visitgranvillenc.com/, but here’s a partial list of what’s happening in Granville County:

  • Granville Christmas Farm – opens Friday, Nov. 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Get tickets at https://www.granvillechristmasfarm.com/. The farm will open daily the week before Christmas through New Year’s Eve.
  • Corn Hill Farm – a local tree farm that will have a special Christmas Connection on Friday, Nov. 28, complete with arts and crafts for the kids, vendors, food and Santa from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Visit https://cornhillfarms.com/
  • Back to the OX Theater for Celtic Angels on Dec. 1. The show starts at 7 p.m. Then it’s Nashville Noel on Dec. 14. Visit https://www.oxfordnc.org/ to purchase tickets.
  • The Lighting of the Greens and Parade in Oxford is Friday, Dec. 5 beginning at 4 p.m. The parade begins at 7 p.m. The City of Oxford also will have its tree lighting on Dec. 5.
  • Parade season continues with parades in Creedmoor and Butner on Saturday, Dec. 6 – Creedmoor in the morning and Butner in the afternoon.
  • Christmas Buffet Dinner at Thorndale Oaks on Saturday, Dec. 6. It’s a full buffet, $58.95 Children 12 and under: $24.95 Children 5 and under are free. Call 919.603.3701 or 919.725.5201 to reserve your table.

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City of Oxford

City Of Oxford Nov. 4 Election Results

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Oxford Mayor Guillermo Nurse won re-election Tuesday, defeating challenger Jim Crawford by 251 votes.

The final count Tuesday night was 1,107 for Nurse – 56.31 percent –  and 856 – 43.54 percent – for Crawford, according to unofficial results on the N.C. State Board of Elections website.

Karen McGhee, Scotty Brooks, Kate Kelly and S. Quon Bridges were the top four vote-getters to earn seats on the City of Oxford Commission.

Brooks and Bridges are incumbents; McGhee and Kelly are newcomers to the board.

Voter turnout for the Oxford municipal elections was just over 26 percent – 3,887 of 14,852 voters cast ballots, according to NCSBE.

McGhee got 1,198 votes, Brooks got 1,103, Kelly got 954 and Bridges got 911.

The other candidates for city commissioner were:

Martha Wrenn – 881 votes

Courtney Crudup – 719 votes

Sandra Compton – 662 votes

All results are unofficial until they are certified in the Nov. 14 canvass.