The Henderson Rotary Club invites high school seniors in Vance County to apply for one of three $2,500 scholarships that will be awarded in mid-May.
Seniors, take note: spend a few minutes filling out a little background information and then focus on the all-important essay. The application package is due no later than 12 noon on Friday, May 5 and can be dropped off or emailed to D. Rix Edwards, who is overseeing the scholarship process for the local club.
High school seniors interested in taking part should contact their guidance counselors or other school administrators to get details; home schoolers also are welcome to submit applications, Edwards said.
Rotary Clubs across the world adhere to the motto “Service Above Self” and that is the focus of the essay, said Edwards, who joined John C. Rose on Tuesday’s TownTalk.
Specifically, the question reads: “How is the motto of the Rotary Club, ‘Service above Self,’ evident in your life, and how will you continue to uphold this motto through college and beyond?”
The essay should include the applicant’s interpretation of the motto, as well as specific examples that demonstrate how he or she already has put service before self and how they plan to continue do so in the future.
There is no minimum or maximum length for the essay, but Edwards said clarity of writing, good spelling and punctuation are critical components.
A panel of Rotary Club members will review the essays and will select the three winners, Edwards said.
“I gather all the applications and redact names, school names – anything that could be used as a personal identifier,” Edwards explained, “to ensure there is no preference or appearance of preference given to anyone” and to have all applicants on a level playing field.
The Henderson Rotary Club celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, and it prides itself in being a good community partner. The club sponsors a raffle during the annual Show, Shine, Shag and Dine festival each year, which serves as a major fundraiser for programs, including the scholarships.
Edwards invites anyone interested in learning more about Rotary to contact him at 252.438.4134. The group meets each Tuesday at 6 p.m. for dinner at the Henderson Country Club. The current president is Greg Etheridge of Gupton Services.
The scholarship applications can be emailed to redwards@sszlaw.net,mailed or delivered to Edwards’s law office, Stainback, Satterwhite & Zollicoffer, PLLC, 115 N. Garnett St., Henderson, NC 27536.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Rotary-Club-of-Henderson.png265504Laura Gabelhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngLaura Gabel2023-03-21 13:47:522023-03-21 21:56:30TownTalk: Henderson Rotary Scholarships For High School Seniors In Vance County
Versatrim, a manufacturer of various moldings for residential installation, is sponsoring a job fair this Saturday, Mar. 25 at their facility on Eastern Minerals Road, located just off U.S. 1, south of Henderson.
The job fair will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to company representatives who spoke Monday with John C. Rose on TownTalk. There will be onsite tours of the warehouse and customer service areas, which help prospective employees get a feel for the manufacturing facility, Brandi Parker, interim human resources manager, said.
Although Versatrim participates in job fairs sponsored by other groups like NC Works, Saturday’s onsite job fair is a first, Parker said.
People will “have the opportunity to come and see what Versatrim does,” agreed Viridiana Badillo, human resources assistant.
All of the 12 positions that Versatrim currently has available are full-time positions – that means a 40-hour workweek, with full benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance.
In addition, Versatrim offers a couple of extras at no cost to the employee – $25,000 life insurance, and teledoc services that include urgent care and mental health services.
Parker said she’s proud of the employee development opportunities that the company has initiated; various community entities have come out to share information about such things as nutrition, fitness, homebuying and the importance of getting a GED.
“This is more than just where you come to work,” Parker said. Versatrim’s “team” concept provides support for employees, she said. They fully expect to double or triple their growth over the next few years, Parker added.
There are two shifts at the facility, and when all the lines are running, they can produce 10,000 pieces of molding each day.
Most of the open positions are for first-shift, which uses more workers than the second shift. The shifts can range from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., or 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., depending on the station.
Versatrim prioritizes quality, Badillo said. There are quality control checks throughout the manufacturing process, even “once it’s wrapped and ready to go out the door,” she said. “We take quality very serious here.”
Call 888.292.1146 to learn more or visit https://versatrim.com/ to learn more about employment opportunities and the Versatrim products.
A planning session will be held Tuesday, Mar. 21 in the fellowship hall of First United Methodist Church to discuss the upcoming Community Day of Service. Brian Daniel invites anyone interested in participating in the April 22 event to come to the planning meeting.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall of First United Methodist Church, and the actual Day of Service will be held at South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church on Americal Road in April.
As it did back in January 2020, the 2023 Community Day of Giving will focus on food insecurity. Teams of volunteers will package a non-perishable mix of highly nutritious foods for Rise Against Hunger, an organization that sends across the world to help those in need.
Among the topics for discussion on Tuesday are volunteer shifts, numbers of volunteers needed and team fundraising, according to Daniel.
In 2020, more than 600 volunteers from 14 churches and various businesses and organizations in the community were responsible for making 63,000 meals that were then boxed up and sent to countries all over the world. Because of the strong turnout, the teams exceeded the day’s goal of 50,000 meals.
But the event also collected a large trailer load of food for ACTS of Henderson, which helped to feed hungry people right here in the community.
Teams will work between now and April 22 to raise money to defray food costs for Rise Against Hunger, as well as collect food and money for ACTS.
St. Patrick’s Day has evolved from a religious holiday to a day of festivities and everything Irish. Revelers need not have ancestors from County Cork to enjoy all the fun and merriment that surrounds this holiday, and it’s a time when leprechauns, green beer and corned beef and cabbage take center stage.
Whether you choose to celebrate in family-friendly activities like Friday afternoon’s Shamrocks on Breckenridge event or in other ways, the State Highway Patrol wants to remind drivers to never drink and drive.
Law enforcement agencies statewide are increasing patrols to keep impaired drivers off the roads during the St. Patrick’s Day and through the weekend during a “Booze It & Lose It” enforcement campaign.
“St. Patrick’s Day is well established as a time for celebration, but people should do so responsibly,” said Mark Ezzell, director of the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program. “Never get behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking alcohol. Drinking and driving can be deadly. Have a plan to get home safely so you don’t risk seriously injuring or killing yourself or someone else.”
During last year’s weeklong observation of St. Patrick’s Day, 225 alcohol-related crashes resulting in 11 deaths occurred on North Carolina roads.
“The most tragic thing about these deaths is that all of them could have been prevented and their impacts avoided, if people would just do their parts by planning ahead and ensuring they celebrate this St. Patrick’s Day responsibly,” said Col. Freddy Johnson, Jr., commander of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/shamrocks-on-breckenridge.jpg294560WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2023-03-16 13:57:202023-03-20 12:12:59TownTalk: Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day And Stay Safe
Entrepreneurship is a big word that certainly has gained traction and popularity in recent years in the business community. It’s not a new concept, though, and it’s something that many small business owners have experience with.
More than a dozen Black-owned businesses – many of which started small and have grown over time – were recognized for their contributions to the community during the inaugural Black Business & Non-Profit Organization Award Ceremony held in Henderson recently.
The luncheon event was the result of a partnership with Vance-Granville Community College and Gateway Community Development Corporation, and hosted the luncheon event at Southern Charm Event Center, which also happened to be one of the award winners during the Feb. 23 ceremony.
Dr. Jerry Edmonds, VGCC vice president of workforce & community engagement and Heather Joi Kenney, president and founder of Gateway CDC, joined John C. Rose on Wednesday’s TownTalk and offered their thoughts on the first of what they predict will become an annual event.
Edmonds and Kenney served as co-moderators for the awards ceremony. Throughout planning for the awards luncheon, Edmonds said Wednesday that the shared vision came to fruition.
“The event itself was well attended,” Edmonds said. “I couldn’t have been happier with the outcome.” Not only Black-owned businesses were in attendance, but people across all demographics was what the organizers had in mind.
This ceremony focused on Vance County, but the idea is to rotate among the four counties that VGCC serves. Granville County, most likely, will be the focus of next year’s event, he said.
From left: Dr. Jerry Edmonds, Vice President of Workforce & Community Engagement at Vance-Granville Community College; Mary Davis Royster, owner of Davis-Royster Funeral Service, Inc.; Paul Crews Jr., director’s assistant at Davis-Royster Funeral Service, Inc.; and Heather Joi Kenney, president and CEO of Gateway CDC.
“We expect a large list of awardees worthy of this recognition,” Edmonds said.
The overwhelming response from this year’s honorees was one of gratitude, Edmonds and Kenney agreed.
“There was a lot of gratitude in their responses,” Kenney said, adding that this was the first time that many had been recognized in such an important way – being “seen” by the larger community for contributions was part of the purpose, she said.
Several awardees counted this award as one of the most significant accomplishments of their careers, Edmonds added.
This event is indicative of the many ways that VGCC and Gateway CDC work together to support small business, and, in this case, Black-owned businesses and nonprofits.
VGCC’s Small Business Center offers individual counseling, seminars and access to a resource center to support existing business owners and those who are testing the waters of entrepreneurship. Visit www.vgcc.edu/coned/small-business-center/ to learn more.
Similarly, Gateway CDC has a host of resources, including providing technical support for small business owners.
Kenney said the goal is to help people launch their business successfully and to make that business sustainable.
“We want to be known as a space where you can come and be supported,” she said. “We are working diligently to make sure all those resources are aligned and thoughtful.”
One award winner was Southern Charm Event Center, which just opened its doors in July 2022. It’s already made a big impression in downtown Henderson, and was the location for the awards luncheon.
“As a new business owner in Henderson, I was honored not only to be recognized but also in having the privilege to be amongst Black-owned businesses that have been operating in our community for years,” said Shanika Ragland, owner of Southern Charm. “The highest reward I received that day was watching everyone gather in a space that we created.”
Twelve award winners were recognized across three categories:
Legacy: institutions which have been in operation at least 10 years but often much longer;
Established, those in operation 5–10 years; and
New Start, organizations which are less than 5 years old.
The atmosphere was one of celebration and camaraderie as friends and neighbors gathered to reflect on the hard work behind each organization. Some honorees displayed visible emotion during their acceptance speeches. Chalis S. Henderson, executive director of Turning Point CDC, was moved to tears as she accepted the Legacy award; it was her parents’ vision that led to the creation of Turning Point and its founding church, Oasis of Hope Ministries.
“The ceremony was a beautiful reminder of the great impact Black-owned businesses and Black-led nonprofits have on our region,” Henderson said afterward. “There was a resounding commitment to continue to serve our communities with the same strength and love that the organizations were founded on decades ago.”
Black-owned organizations still face unique obstacles to their success. State Farm Insurance agent Margier White, who received the Established award, acknowledged those challenges as she spoke at the event. Even so, she chooses to focus on the potential of the future rather than the struggles of the past.
“Receiving this award has filled me with pride, and I am grateful that my business was recognized and honored in this way,” said White. “This is one of the most significant events of my professional career.”
Sandra Wilkerson, president of Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce, was among those in attendance. “The Chamber of Commerce is a huge supporter of small business, so it was an honor and privilege to attend this award ceremony,” she said. “Hearing the accomplishments of these business owners and knowing the impact and contributions they have all made to our community makes us work harder to support and partner with them.” VGCC has a long-standing history of supporting small local businesses. During the 2020-2021 academic year, VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais took the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Pledge through the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE); this pledge includes specific action steps to advance entrepreneurship and create jobs across the country. The college was so successful in these entrepreneurial initiatives that NACCE named it the Heather Van Sickle Entrepreneurial College of the Year in October 2022.
The Henderson City Council approved a couple of requests aimed at giving local law enforcements more money in their pockets and an additional tool to help them in their job of keeping the city safe.
Chief Marcus Barrow said the police department is allotted 52 sworn law enforcement positions, but it currently has about a dozen vacancies. In two separate requests, Barrow asked Council members to take the equivalent of one police officer’s salary – $66,000 – and use it to place 25 camera-like devices across the city that can read license plates.
Barrow, along with city staff, want to take some of that unused money from the “salary” category and put it to work to help the current officers who patrol the city’s streets and neighborhoods.
The license plate readers, or LPRs, are small and only weigh about 3 pounds but they can have a powerful impact. Police can enter license plate information into the system and the LPR will “look” for matching tags. Whether it’s a stolen vehicle or a vehicle associated in other criminal activity, the LPR can help police narrow down searches.
Flock Safety will provide 25 license plate readers for the police department to use, and will in essence, take the place of one law enforcement officer.
Numerous nearby municipalities are already using Flock Safety or have contracted
with them for deployment in the near future. Local law enforcement is in constant contact with those agencies to help solve crimes that travel through various jurisdictions.
To drive home the point, Barrow said the use of LPRs in Durham helped provide information that proved useful in the arrests of three people in connection with the deaths of two men found in a car on Gholson Avenue last month. One of the suspects is from Durham, Barrow said.
It’s one way that the police department can work smarter, not harder, during times when agencies continue to experience vacancies, with little interest from prospective employees.
“Filling positions has become increasingly difficult, and law enforcement agencies
across the nation are seeking alternative solutions to supplement their shortages with technology and tools to assist their workforce,” states information from the council’s agenda packet.
But additional technology isn’t the only thing that Barrow is asking council members to consider: the council also approved a request to bump up salaries by more than $6,000 for current sworm officers as a way to make the base pay more competitive with nearby agencies.
The city raised the base pay a couple of years ago, and Barrow said that helped retention rates tremendously. But now, surrounding agencies are upping their game and implementing pay adjustments of their own.
“We are just past the midterm of our fiscal year and anticipate a $400,000 to $500,000 surplus in our approved salaries, wages and benefits. With most agencies in the Wake County area at a $50,000 starting salary, and comparable sized agencies at or near this mark, it is necessary that we develop a salary adjustment that will align with the market trend to help with officer retention and recruitment,” Barrow stated in remarks to council.
The salary adjustment of $6,456 for each sworn employee brings the hiring salary for an entry-level sworn officer to $48,959 – just shy of Wake County agencies, but more in line with neighboring counties’ pay rates.
Barrow said he surveyed 25 nearby agencies and only Louisburg Police Department is lower than Henderson’s. He wouldn’t expect to be able to compete with a Cary or a Wake Forest, he said, but the $6,456 boost will help the local department compete with similar-sized agencies.
“If nothing is done, we expect shortages to continue and retention efforts to dwindle as competing agencies further the gap,” Barrow reported.
If implemented this month, March the total cost, including benefits but not
including the pending retirement of a Lieutenant in March or April, is approximately $102,000. In FY 23-24, the total increase would be $315,000 in the Salary/Wage line item.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0067_hendersonlogo.png.png265504Laura Gabelhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngLaura Gabel2023-03-14 17:30:312023-03-14 17:57:32TownTalk: Henderson City Council Meeting
At the corner of Garnett and Montgomery streets, the plate-glass storefront that once showcased shiny stoves and refrigerators now offer up a different view, and it’s a welcome sign for downtown revitalization.
Kissy Robertson opened Rustic Barn Boutique last week, and she welcomes the folks from the community and beyond to stop in for a visit.
Thomas Appliance occupied this desirable location for many years, and Robertson told John C. Rose on Tuesday’s TownTalk that she is excited to give the retail location new life.
The store houses a collection of home décor, handcrafted items and custom clothing from a group of vendors, but “it’s not a cubicle layout,” Robertson explained. “It’s like walking into a store with (different) vendors’ items all mixed in.”
She said she knew that the city was trying to revitalize the downtown area. “I thought it was a great idea to open this in Henderson and be a part of this revitalization,” she said. It’s just another way to keep business local.
Shoppers will find an array of home décor and more, from refurbished furniture from Shabby Apple to fragrant hand-poured candles, custom jewelry and painted items, wreaths and door hangers, just to list a few.
The vendors are local and she hopes that shoppers will be, too. Robertson said she would routinely drive 30 minutes to an hour to shop simply because there were no stores close by.
She still has her day job, so has help to operate the store right now. She hopes to be able to embrace her “crafty” side soon and run the store herself full-time.
There’s still room for more vendors to join those already in the space, but there’s open space that would be perfect to host small events like baby showers and birthday parties.
And stay updated on their Facebook page to learn about upcoming pop-up events, vendor parties, paint parties and more.
Store hours are Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call the store at 252.572.2495 for more information.
The Henderson City Council unanimously approved, with two council people absent, both measures presented in more detail in the original noon news update listed below.
With those votes of approval, each sworn Henderson Police officer will receive $6,456 more in base salary except for exempt staff like captains, assistant chief positions and HPD Chief Marcus Barrow. It sounded like from what City Manager Terrell Blackmon said during the meeting, those command positions would soon also receive a comparable increase and that it may be the same amount of $6,456. In addition, the funding equivalent of the annual pay and benefits of one police officer, which is already funded but an unfilled position, will be used to implement the License Plate Readers.
Barrow said in the meeting that his patrol and investigation divisions need the most help right now. He said the LPRs would help in both those areas and thus the whole police department.
The LPRs are electronic data, and Barrow said it was electronic data that led to the arrest of the three suspects in the recent Gholson Avenue homicides.
Chief Barrow provided a few additional facts the public may like to hear as well.
He said, “They are visible. They are not hidden from the public. They are motion sensitive. They are not constantly recording. They are identical to what is used at the toll booths. This is not for speeding. It will not take pictures of people, just motor vehicles. This is the least invasive.”
He said to be fair the placement of the devices would be totally data driven.
Original Update Noon Monday:
The Henderson City Council is expected to act tonight on a couple of requests aimed at giving local law enforcement officers more money in their pockets and an additional tool to help them in their job of keeping the city safe.
The police department is allotted 52 sworn law enforcement positions, but it currently has about a dozen vacancies. In two separate requests spelled out in tonight’s agenda information packet, Chief Marcus Barrow wants to take the equivalent of one police officer’s salary – $66,000 – and use it to place throughout the city 25 camera-like devices that can read license plates.
Barrow, along with city staff, want to take some of that unused money from the salary pot and put it to work to help the current officers who patrol the city’s streets and neighborhoods.
The license plate readers, or LPRs, are small and only weigh about 3 pounds but they can have a powerful impact. Police can enter license plate information into the system and the LPR will “look” for matching tags. Whether it’s a stolen vehicle or a vehicle associated in other criminal activity, the LPR can help police narrow down searches.
Flock Safety will provide 25 license plate readers for the police department to use, and will in essence, take the place of one law enforcement officer.
Numerous nearby municipalities are already using Flock Safety or have contracted with them for deployment in the near future. Local law enforcement is in constant contact with those agencies to help solve crimes that travel through various jurisdictions.
“Filling positions has become increasingly difficult, and law enforcement agencies across the nation are seeking alternative solutions to supplement their shortages with technology and tools to assist their workforce,” states information from the council’s agenda packet.
But additional technology isn’t the only thing that Barrow is asking council members to consider: He wants them to bump up the salaries of current sworn officers by more than $6,000 to make the base pay more competitive with nearby agencies.
The city raised the base pay a couple of years ago, and Barrow said that helped retention rates tremendously. But now, surrounding agencies are upping their game and implementing pay adjustments of their own.
“We are just past the midterm of our fiscal year and anticipate a $400,000 to $500,000 surplus in our approved salaries, wages and benefits. With most agencies in the Wake County area at a $50,000 starting salary, and comparable sized agencies at or near this mark, it is necessary that we develop a salary adjustment that will align with the market trend to help with officer retention and recruitment,” as stated by Barrow and other city staff in information included in the agenda packet.
The salary adjustment of $6,456 for each sworn employee would bring the hiring salary for an entry-level sworn officer to $48,959 – just shy of Wake County agencies, but more in line with neighboring counties’ pay rates.
“If nothing is done, we expect shortages to continue and retention efforts to dwindle as competing agencies further the gap,” according to the agenda information.
If implemented this month, March 2023, the total cost, including benefits but not including the pending retirement of a lieutenant in March or April, is approximately $102,000. In FY 23-24, the total increase would be $315,000 in the Salary/Wage line item.
Anyone who attempts to keep up with Granville Tourism Director Angela Allen better be wearing a good pair of sneakers. Or better yet, roller skates. Between now and the end of April, she’ll be putting a lot of miles on her car to attend all the events scheduled for Granville County.
“We’ve got tons of stuff going on,” Allen told Bill Harris on Thursday’s TownTalk. “We’ve got some very creative people around here in Granville County – and they love spring.”
From egg hunts to traditional Scottish games, there’s something for residents and visitors over the next couple of months. “We do have so many people come to visit,” Allen said, adding that Granville County “may be small, but it’s definitely mighty and definitely welcoming to anyone who wants to come and have a good time.”
Kicking things off on Saturday, Mar. 11 is Spring Fling at the Orpheum in downtown Oxford.
This event is free to attend, but Allen said VIP ticketholders get a swag bag filled with items from downtown merchants as well as a mimosa and front-row seats to the fashion show.
Local is the name of the game at this event, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
The fashion show includes the latest trends from downtown retailers C2, Nan’s Fashions and Bobo’s.
Here’s a rundown on the other upcoming events:
Saturday & Sunday, Mar. 25-26 – The Viking Experience at The Barn at Vino in Stem. This is the second year that the Vikings invade Granville County, featuring 30+ cast members who will be in character both days to interact with those in attendance. There will be food and craft vendors on site, and lots of opportunities to participate. Weekend passes are $30, with daily passes available as well. Day passes for Saturday’s 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. events are $18; Sunday events run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tickets are $15. Special activities like “Viking in training fight pit” and an escape room require an extra fee.
Folks came from all over the country for last year’s event, Allen said. “I’m excited to see it again and (see) what they’ve added for this year.”
Friday, Mar. 31
Cedar Creek Gallery opens its studios and then plans to be open for the next two weekends, offering demonstrations in glass blowing, pottery and woodturning, just to name a few. There will be live music and different food trucks each day of the festival, rain or shine.
Saturday, Apr. 1, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Carlee Farms “Eggstravaganza” eaturing local food and craft vendors, as well as a photo session with the Easter Bunny and a petting zoo. Admission to the event is free; proceeds benefit Tar River Elementary School.
“Paws for Granville” 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at The Barn at Vino. Dinner, silent auction and musical entertainment to benefit the Humane Society and the Granville County Animal Services. Tickets are $35 and available on the Paws For Granville Facebook page.
Sunday, Apr. 2, 1-3 p.m.
3rd annual Easter Egg hunt at The Barn at Vino. No charge to attend, but $15 per child to participate in egg hunt, which includes a photo with the Easter Bunny. Kids 3 and under will have a special spot roped off for them and the kids 4 and older will be in a larger area. Look up the event on Eventbrite or find out more information on the Barn at Vino Facebook page.
Saturday Apr. 8, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Jimbo’s Backyard BBQ at The Barn at Vino. Tickets $15, $30 for People’s Choice. Proceeds benefit Wreaths Across America. Find ticket info on Jimbo’s Backyard BBQ or the Barn at Vino Facebook pages
Food and vendor trucks will be on site, and beer and wine will be available for purchase.
Saturday, Apr. 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Granville Gardeners present the 2nd full-fledged expo at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center. What began as an herb sale a few years ago has become a daylong event that includes workshops and demonstrations, as well as dozens of craft vendors and local growers who share information about plants and gardening.
Oxford Main Street Art and Wine, featuring live music and a whole mix of craft vendors, artists and wine tasting. The event is free, but tickets are required for the wine-tasting. Beer and wine are available for purchase at The Hub on Main.
Allen said she likes the experience of mixing culture and art with this event.
Saturday, Apr. 29, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Come to the campus of Central Children’s Home, 211 W. Antioch Drive, Oxford for the 2nd annual Central Carolina Highland Games. “This one’s for all my Braveheart fans,” Allen said. This daylong series of Scottish athletic events, from caber toss to stone’s throw, features pipe band performances and traditional Scottish dancers.
What’s a caber, you ask? Here’s Allen’s explanation: “I am talking about a huge big tree that people sign up to throw across a field,” she said.
Admission is free, and parking is $20. Proceeds benefit the Central Children’s Home.
There’s so much planning and organizing that goes in to making these events happen, Allen said. “It’s pretty awesome to see this displayed in our community.” People get to “have fun, give back and learn something new.”
And, as always, find out more about all the things going on in Granville County at Allen’s webpage, www.visitgranvillenc.com
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/granville-tourism-560x294-1.jpg294560Laura Gabelhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngLaura Gabel2023-03-09 16:02:042023-03-09 16:02:39TownTalk: Spring Events In Granville County
The 50-plus inmates of the Vance County Detention Center could find themselves in a different jail soon – at least temporarily – while contractors replace old doors to provide better security.
The Vance County Commissioners approved spending up to $90,000 to pay for the inmates’ stays at other facilities, but there’s one condition: Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame must get, in writing, confirmation from the contractor that the work can and will be done within a 30-day period.
During that 30-day window, the jail would be closed as far as housing inmates is concerned. Closing a jail sounds like a severe measure, but it is what needs to happen for the repairs and installations to be completed.
Brame and longtime sheriff’s office employee Weldon Bullock were at the commissioners’ meeting Monday to make the request. They shared details of yet another example of unsafe conditions at the jail – an inmate lay unconscious for at least five minutes after being attacked in a fight over the weekend.
He was transported to Duke University Hospital and had surgery for a broken eye socket, Bullock reported during his remarks to the commissioners. He also stated that the doors are broken and can’t be secured properly. But physical conditions aside, Bullock said what really bothered him was that the inmate could have died. “The guy could have laid there and died – I don’t want somebody to get killed because we can’t lock the doors.”
The new doors have been purchased and are ready to be installed, to the tune of about $400,000. Once the sheriff gets written confirmation from the contractor that the work can be done within a 30-day period, the plan can proceed.
As chief law enforcement officer in the county, the sheriff is responsible for the hiring and firing of employees within the sheriff’s office, but salaries and other capital expenses are the responsibility of the county commissioners.
Brame has long said that the county needs a new jail and more staff to adequately cover the jail. The facility has gotten deficiencies on state inspection reports for various problems, from broken doors to non-functioning cameras and peeling paint.
A comprehensive feasibility study was initiated last year to evaluate the jail and to help county leaders decide whether to repair or replace the 30-year-old structure.
The Vance County Jail will close for thirty days to replace doors.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/vance-county-jail.jpg294560Laura Gabelhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngLaura Gabel2023-03-08 17:30:552023-03-08 18:10:55TownTalk: Jail To Close For Repairs
