Tag Archive for: #granvillecountynews

Granville County Public Schools

GCPS Working to Keep Students & Staff Healthy

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

On Thursday, February 27, 2020, the GCPS District Safety Task Force convened for their regular monthly meeting. This group of approximately +/- 40 members has a laser focus on improving and protecting the safety, health and welfare of students and staff in our school district.

Superintendent McLean created the District Safety Task Force shortly after arriving in the district more than two years ago. Since that time, it has been extremely successful in addressing areas of concern with rapid and effective solutions. The Safety Task Force consists of a wide variety of stakeholders, including board members, law enforcement officers, first responders, health care officials, local elected officials, faith-based leaders, district administrators, school nurses, principals and, of course, parents.

At this recent meeting, one of the agenda items was COVID-19, or the “Coronavirus,” and how the district should plan and prepare for its potential threat. Currently, there are no confirmed cases in North Carolina, and the threat of the virus remains very low. In fact, the district has recently been more focused on absenteeism and illnesses caused by the common cold and influenza viruses. In just the past two weeks, some schools have had nearly 1/3 of students and staff out as a result.

The district’s immediate response to those outbreaks, as recommended by the CDC and the Departments of Health, largely focused on the following three tactics:

  • Practicing and encouraging good personal hygiene (Frequent and proper handwashing, coughing or sneezing in the bend of elbow or sleeve, using tissues, just being “courteous” with your space, etc.).

  • Thoroughly cleaning frequently touched surfaces or high traffic areas using Lysol or similar products which are highly effective at killing the viruses.

  • Staying home when sick, and avoiding people who are sick.

These three main tactics are highly effective against the spread of any such contagions and should be practiced by all, especially when considering the potential future threat of COVID-19.

One additional item of consideration is the use of facemasks. According to the CDC, the use of facemasks is NOT recommended for use by people who are well. Instead, only those who show symptoms should wear them, but ideally, those individuals should stay home and be isolated if possible.

Dr. McLean has already begun close dialogue and scheduled meetings with our local Health Department officials, school nurses and healthcare experts. “We are certainly not attempting to create a scare or undue alarm. Just like we drill, practice and prepare with any other potential threats, we are simply doing what is needed to keep our children and staff safe. After all, if you are ready, then you don’t have to get ready.”

The district continues to work with the Health Department and other experts to create action plans for the district. GCPS would like to thank everyone in the community in advance for their attention to this matter. The safety, health and well-being of everyone in our community is the top priority for GCPS!

Granville Tourism Development Authority Wins Regional Award

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

At their annual Southeast Tourism Society (STS) Connections Conference held in Little Rock, Arkansas, Granville County’s Tourism Director Angela Allen and the Granville County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) was recognized with the Best Marketing Shining Example Award for its “Uniquely Carolina” campaign.

Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen was recently recognized with the “Shining Example” award by the Southeast Tourism Society. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)

The “Uniquely Carolina” brand was unveiled at the 2019 Hot Sauce Festival this past September and has already received top honors by the North Carolina Travel Association. According to Allen, the need to refresh the brand was long overdue, as there was no consistent or unique brand message to deliver a compelling reason to visit Granville County.

As part of the re-branding process, Allen and the TDA Board of Directors interviewed over 100 county stakeholders, including industry partners, government officials, community leaders and local volunteers. They also conducted focus groups, with community outreach including the completion of surveys to residents, community leaders and teachers.

“We developed our brand with input from those in the community,” Allen explains. “Granville County offers outdoor spaces where visitors can come and relax, festivals and venues where they can gather with friends, and shops, restaurants, farms and markets where they can step away and discover Granville County. We really feel the new brand and identity captures our county and the tourism community.”

The Southeast Tourism Society is comprised of all states in the southeast, stretching beyond the Mississippi River to include Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana. STS brings together tourism professionals from the state and local levels who share the mutual belief that regional promotion of tourism creates a powerful marketing alliance.

As part of this partnership, STS evaluates marketing programs of the 13 states in the southeast region, selecting three as the “best of the best.” The three winners are identified by size: smaller community, mid-size, and large city/state levels.

“We are thrilled to see Angela Allen win a Shining Example award for such a great campaign,” said Wit Tuttell, Vice-President of Tourism and Marketing for North Carolina. “This campaign does an excellent job focusing on the authentic experiences in Granville. That’s exactly what visitors want to know, and it fits perfectly with our efforts to promote ‘Firsts That Last’ for people who visit North Carolina.”

Additionally, the state of North Carolina was recognized with the marketing award on the state level.

“We are part of the Carolinas,” Angela further explains. “North Carolina has an incredibly positive image with residents and travelers. We want to continue to capture and reflect the attraction of being in North Carolina, so for the professionals across STS to recognize the work in Granville as the best across all 13 states in the region is actually a tribute to the whole community.”

For more information about Granville County’s “Uniquely Carolina” campaign, or to find out more about the local tourism industry, contact Allen at 919-693-6125 or at angela.allen@granvillecounty.org. Those interested in the local events and attractions that bring visitors to our area can also visit www.visitgranvillenc.com.

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Board of Education to Meet March 2

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS

The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a regular board meeting on Monday, March 2, 2020, at 6 p.m. at the Central Services Building, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, North Carolina.

The Board will also meet in a Closed Session with the Board’s attorney in accordance with N.C. General Statute pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a) on this evening.

To view the agenda for this meeting, please click here.

Local Granville-Vance Health Director Attends White House Coronavirus Briefing

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-Information courtesy Granville County Government and Lisa Harrison

The local, Granville-Vance Public Health Director, Lisa Harrison, attended a White House Briefing this week about the Coronavirus.

On Tuesday, February 25, 2020, Harrison joined representatives from more than 30 states and territories for a federal/state/local discussion about Coronavirus. The point was for communities to be prepared.

Pictured (left to right) are Pramod Dwivedi, MS, MSW, MA, BSc, Linn County Public Health in Iowa; Jennifer Kertanis, MPH, President-elect of NACCHO and the Farmington Valley Health District, Connecticut; Lisa Macon Harrison, MPH, Granville Vance Public Health Director, North Carolina; and George Roberts, Jr., MHA, FACHE, President of NACCHO Northeast, Texas Public Health District, Texas. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)

Harrison told WIZS News her biggest takeaway from the briefing is that all levels of government are working together to update, communicate and respond. She said, “Local, state and federal levels are committed to ensuring the public health and safety is the best it can be. We have an important job of communicating clearly and well during this time in a way that’s appropriate to this new virus and its risk, but that doesn’t land with people in a way that makes them panic anymore.”

Of course, it is flu season too, and Harrison said, “The flu virus is much more deadly and common in the U.S., and I find it interesting to balance people’s perception of risk with this new virus versus how people continue to shrug their shoulders and deny the flu vaccine.”

The NC Division of Public Health has a helpful web site (https://epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/cd/diseases/COVID19.html) and a phone number people can call if they have questions.

Harrison added, “I need to stress that there are currently, as of today, no cases of novel coronavirus cases in NC.  Nobody needs to get a mask or worry unnecessarily at this point. We do suspect we will have a case in the future and are hopeful that like every other place in the US, the virus will be mild and people will recover fully.”

A 24-hour, main phone number for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is (919) 733-3419.

A Granville County Government press release said that in her role as regional representative/Board member for the National Association of County and City Health Officials, Harrison was one of approximately 40 state, county and city health officials invited to attend and participate in this briefing, which also acknowledged the leadership roles of state and local health officials in meeting community needs.

 

Reminder: Granville Co. Animal Control to Offer Free Rabies Vaccines

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

Granville County Animal Control will be offering free rabies vaccines for dogs and cats on Saturday, February 29, 2020. From 9 until 10:30 a.m., residents can bring their pets to Gazebo Park in Butner for one and three-year vaccinations.

North Carolina rabies law (NCGS 130A-185) requires that all owned dogs, cats and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age and that rabies vaccinations be kept current.

On Feb. 29, one-year vaccinations will be available for all dogs and cats over this age requirement. Pet owners must bring proof of prior rabies vaccination to receive the three-year option. Accepted proof of vaccination is the paper certificate provided by the pet’s veterinarian when the shot was administered. A rabies tag will not be accepted as proof.

Granville County Animal Control offers a reminder that all cats must be in a carrier and all dogs must be leashed to receive this free service. Vaccinations will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Gazebo Park is located at 416 Central Avenue in Butner. With questions, please contact the Granville County Animal Shelter at 919-693-6749.

Free Tax Assistance Available to Granville Co. Seniors

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-Information courtesy Granville County Government

Free tax assistance is available to Granville County Seniors! Representatives of the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program are available at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford from 5 until 8 p.m. each Thursday until April 9, 2020.

Appointment times are reserved for Granville County residents age 60 or older. This is a free service and appointments are required.

To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please contact the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford at (919) 693-1930.

Granville Co. Elementary Students to Compete in District Spelling Bee

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

Ten students from elementary schools around Granville County will compete for the Local Spelling Bee Trophy in two weeks. “All of these children are already winners,” stated Dr. Tonya Thomas, Director of Student Services for GCS, “and we know they are going to succeed!”

The 3rd Annual Granville County District Spelling Bee for third, fourth, and fifth-grade students will take place on March 10, 2020, at 7 p.m. in the multi-purpose hall at Tar River Elementary with a reception to follow provided by the office of Granville County’s Superintendent, Dr. Alisa McLean. The public school system is sponsoring the Spelling Bee again this year.

Families, friends and the community are invited to come out and show their support for these excellent students!

Four fourth graders will be representing their elementary school at the Bee:

Joel Jose, winner from C.G. Credle Elementary; Aubrey Canada, winner from Mt. Energy Elementary; Jasper Luffman, winner from Stovall-Shaw Elementary; and Bree Blackley, winner from Wilton Elementary.

Six fifth graders will round out the competition:

Cayden Middleton, winner from Butner-Stem Elementary; Belen Elizarraras, winner from Creedmoor Elementary; Payton Gary, winner from Falls Lake Academy Charter School; Jordan Hershberger, winner from Granville Academy; Morgan Congleton, winner from Tar River Elementary School; and Dacari Burrell, winner from West Oxford Elementary School.

Two of our spellers are return competitors from last year’s bee – Dacari Burrell and Joel Jose. Joel took the winner’s trophy home at the 2019 District Bee. He then went on to represent Granville County at the Nationals. He is hoping for a return trip this year.

For the District Bee, these students are studying 1,200 words from the Scripps Spelling Bee list. Each one has a chance to move on to the National Spelling Bee in May if they can out spell the others!

Joel Jose, winner from C.G. Credle Elementary

Aubrey Canada, winner from Mt. Energy Elementary

Jasper Luffman, winner from Stovall-Shaw Elementary

Bree Blackley, winner from Wilton Elementary

Cayden Middleton, winner from Butner-Stem Elementary

Belen Elizarraras, winner from Creedmoor Elementary

Payton Gary, winner from Falls Lake Academy Charter School

Jordan Hershberger, winner from Granville Academy

Morgan Congleton, winner from Tar River Elementary School

Dacari Burrell, winner from West Oxford Elementary School

Oxford Logo

Oxford Commissioners Call Public Hearing on Oxford Prep. School Annexing

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-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON REQUEST FOR NON-CONTIGUOUS ANNEXATION – OXFORD PREPARATORY SCHOOL – 6041 LANDIS ROAD

The public will take notice that the Board of Commissioners of the City of Oxford has called a public hearing at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, in the Commissioners’ Board Room, 3rd Floor, City Hall, 300 Williamsboro Street, Oxford, NC, on the question of annexing noncontiguous territory, requested by petition filed pursuant to G.S. 160A-31:

16 +/- Acres
Oxford Preparatory School
6041 Landis Road

James Allred Accepted Into NCSSM Summer Accelerator Program

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-Press Release, Oxford Preparatory School 

James Allred, a 7th grader at Oxford Preparatory School, has been accepted into the summer accelerator program with the North Carolina School of Science and Math. James is the son of Todd and Julie Allred of Oxford, NC.

James Allred, a 7th grader at Oxford Preparatory School, has been accepted into the summer accelerator program with the North Carolina School of Science and Math. (OPS photo)

For the past several years James has been highly interested in microbiology as a potential career, so he’s excited to get some hands-on experience, especially the experiments with DNA. He will be staying in the dorm at Brevard College with like-minded students from all over the globe.

NCSSM Summer Accelerator courses are for exceptional rising 7th through 12th graders who must apply for admissions into this competitive program. Student applications are scored by a committee that considers many factors in order to admit students who will succeed in the program. The reviewers look at GPA, passion for the subject area, quality of writing, behavior and conduct, and experience in the subject area (if opportunities are available).

During this experience, students will explore the world of biotechnology, including the technology involved, importance to society, careers, and hands-on laboratory exercises. Over the course of the week, students will engage in hands-on exploration of the many areas of biotechnology, such as food and fuel production, restriction enzymes and recombinant DNA technology, genetic engineering, GMOs and their uses, forensic biotechnology and genomics.

Students will examine basic cellular structure, conduct environmental sampling for microbes, examine enzyme structure and function, engage in several fermentation activities including food and fuel production, extract DNA, digest it with restriction enzymes, conduct gel electrophoresis to separate and examine DNA fingerprinting, copy DNA through polymerase chain reaction and explore other DNA manipulation techniques.

Granville County Logo

Granville Co. Activities: Feb. 22 – Feb. 29

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-Information courtesy Granville County Government

Mark your calendars for the following Granville County activities:

FOREST MANAGEMENT WEBINARS continue as the Granville County Center for NC Cooperative Extension hosts their informational series for landowners. The next webinar date is Feb. 27 at the Cooperative Extension office, 125 Oxford Loop Road in Oxford. The webinar begins at 7 p.m. and the topic will be “Launching Your Woodland Legacy.” For more details or to register, contact Paul Westfall at 919-603-1350 or at paul_westfall@ncsu.edu. Those interested in attending can also register online through Eventbrite.

CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH THROUGH MUSIC as Teresa Cook Spruell, piano and voice presenter, performs music selections from slavery to present day at the South Branch Library in Creedmoor. This free concert is scheduled for Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. and is open to the public.

A DOCUMENTARY FILM on the life of Malcolm X will be shown at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford on Feb. 22. The film, produced in 1972, will be shown in observance of Black History Month. The 3 p.m. showing is free and open to the public.

AFRICAN-AMERICAN VOTING RIGHTS HISTORY will be discussed during a program at the Richard H. Thornton Library on Feb. 24. From 6:30 until 8 p.m., Sallyann Marable Hobson will address the voting history in Granville County and Post Civil War North Carolina. Call 919-693-1121 for details.

A POP-UP GROCERY STORE TOUR will be offered on Feb. 25 at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford. Jennifer Grable, Granville and Person County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, will instruct participants on how to get healthy food on a budget, how to read nutrition labels and much more. Helpful take-home information and giveaways will be available. Registration is required. Call 919-693-1930 for more information.

TAX ASSISTANCE is available each Thursday until April 9 at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford. Representatives of the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will be available from 5 until 8 p.m. for Granville County residents ages 60+. This is a free service and appointments are required. Call 919-603-1930 for more details.

LEARN FIRST AID AND CPR as Betty Jones and Ruth Huff instruct a course at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford. This training will be held from 4 until 8 p.m. on Feb. 25 and is offered through the Creative Lifelong Learning (CLL) program. Call 919-693-1930 for a fee schedule and to register.

A FREE RABIES CLINIC has been scheduled by Granville County Animal Control on Saturday, Feb. 29. This event will be held at Gazebo Park in Butner from 9 until 10:30 a.m. for dogs and cats. One and three-year vaccines will be provided, with proof of prior rabies vaccinations being required for three-year shots. Vaccines will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis. Dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in a carrier. Call 919-693-6749 to learn more.