Tag Archive for: #warrencountynews

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Warren County Awards $40K to Local Non-Profits in FY20 

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-Press Release, Warren County Government

At the January 6, 2020, Warren County Board of Commissioners meeting, County Manager Vincent Jones announced the award recipients of the County’s FY 20 funding for non-profit agencies.

This year’s recipients are Pier View Community Innovations ($5,000), Boys & Girls Club ($11,000), Hecks Grove Community Center ($13,500), Turning Point Community Development ($2,000), Warren County Arts Council ($1,000), Heritage Quilters Giving Circle ($2,500) and the Gladys Rogers Darensburg Foundation ($5,000).

“I am excited that the Board of Commissioners has chosen to fund non-profits in our annual budget,” stated Vincent Jones, County Manager. “It allows the County to reach different segments of our community that may not be reached by our government services. That can run the gamut from recreation to arts to social services, and that’s a win for the County.”

Warren County adopted its current funding for local non-profit agencies policy in 2014. Funded services through this program must be equally available to all residents.

John Preston Appointed Warren Co. Tax Administrator

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-Press Release, Warren County Government

At their January 6, 2020 meeting, the Warren County Board of Commissioners voted to appoint John Preston as the Warren County Tax Administrator for a two-year term with a salary of $70,000.

Preston, who has been serving as Interim Tax Administrator since October 2019, previously held the position of Assistant Tax Administrator of Warren County.

Photo includes: (L to R) Commissioner Walter Powell, Commissioner Jennifer Pierce, Commissioner Tare Davis, John Preston, Commissioner Victor Hunt, Commissioner Bertadean Baker. (Photo courtesy Warren Co. Govt.)

Preston, a native of Prince George’s County in Maryland, moved to Warrenton in 2015 when he was hired as the County Appraiser. Preston brings with him over twenty years of public service at all levels (federal, state, and local) between his time in Maryland and North Carolina. He has worked primarily in the assessments, billing, and collection of property taxes; he also owned his own home inspection business.

Preston worked for Warren County from 2015-2017 before taking a role with the NC Department of Revenue-Local Government Division. He returned to Warren County in 2019 to fill the newly created Assistant Tax Administrator Role.

Preston has received training from both the NC Department of Revenue as well as the UNC School of Government in tax administration, real property appraisal, personal property appraisal, and property tax listing and assessing. He holds his home inspection license from the state of Maryland.

“The Tax Administrator is responsible for determining the fair and equitable assessed market value of both real and personal property here in the county,” Preston explains. “The tax dollars this tax value generates is a major portion of Warren County’s budget. These tax dollars are used to fund everyday programs and projects such as waste management, public safety, education, social services, business development, health care and leisure/social activities. All of these are necessary features to attract new business and new growth for the benefit of our current and future citizens.”

In his leisure, Preston enjoys spending time with his wife and family.

Warren’s Mobile DMV Unit to Save Residents Trip Outside the County

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-Press Release, Warren County Government

The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will continue to bring its mobile unit to Warren County in 2020. Examiners will travel to the Warren County Armory Civic Center located at 501 US Hwy 158 Bus E, Warrenton every other month from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The 2020 visitation schedule will begin on Wednesday, January 15. The remaining dates include March 11, May 13, July 15, September 16 and December 16.

Each mobile DMV office contains all the components of a brick and mortar DMV office.

For more information on DMV services, contact the DMV at 919-715-7000 or visit www.ncdot.gov.

Warrenton Police Dept. Asks Public to Celebrate the New Year Safely

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Message from the Warrenton Police Department:

As things come to an end for 2019 and for the decade, we are reminded of how fortunate we are to have such a safe community for our citizens to live and work in.

With the New Year festivities and celebrations happening tonight, we’re going to be out patrolling the streets with even more visibility to ensure everyone has a safe night.

It’s inevitable that alcohol will be involved in the celebrations in some way; however, IF you drink and drive, you’re risking not only your life but the lives of everyone else in the community or those who may be on the roadway, and our department WILL arrest you. A $10,000 average DWI, or death and injury, isn’t worth it; call someone to pick you up or stay where you are!

Every New Year’s Eve, we respond to several 911 calls throughout the night for reports of gunfire; this is dangerous and illegal! You may be celebrating by firing into the air, but we don’t know that and as a result, resources are tied up to investigate and make sure no one is injured or dead. Discharging a firearm within city limits is illegal and will result in you being arrested and your firearm being seized.

With these warnings in mind, we want everyone to ring in the New Year with a fun and safe night. 2019 has been a great year; let’s make 2020 even better!

Warren Co. Cooperative Extension to Hold No-Till Drill Demo Day

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-Information courtesy the Warren County Cooperative Extension Center

The Warren County Cooperative Extension is having a demo day for the county’s new Great Plains No-Till Drill on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, at 9:30 a.m. Basic operation and calibration methods for using the drill will be covered in the demonstration.

The demonstration will be held at the Warren County Cooperative Extension Center located at 158 Rafters Lane in Warrenton, NC.

The drill is available for Warren County residents to use. All that have an interest in the drill are encouraged to come see the ins and outs of how it works.

For more information, please call the Warren County Center at (252) 257-3640 or email Matthew Place at mbplace@ncsu.edu.

Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made by January 3, 2020, to Matthew Place, (252) 257-3640 or mbplace@ncsu.edu.

Deal Advances on Southeast Rail Corridor

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, N.C. Department of Transportation

North Carolina has received good transportation news as an important agreement reached this week will advance plans to improve the Southeast’s freight and passenger rail network.

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation announced a major deal with CSX Thursday. Part of the deal will enable the N.C. Department of Transportation to acquire a 10-mile portion of an inactive freight line in North Carolina so the line can be converted for use on the Southeast Rail Corridor.

The Southeast Rail Corridor is a network of passenger and freight rail from Washington D.C. to Jacksonville, Fla. The rail runs through North Carolina roughly parallel to Interstate 85 and U.S. 1. The 10-mile section to be acquired runs from Ridgeway in Warren County to the North Carolina-Virginia border.

“This is a key step as we work to improve our rail system so we can move people and goods more efficiently between North Carolina and communities along the East Coast,” said Jason Orthner, director of the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Rail Division.

This week’s deal will also enable the construction of a new Virginia-owned Long Bridge across the Potomac River, and acquisition of more than 350 miles of railroad right-of-way.

The deal comes as officials with North Carolina and Virginia work together on a strategy to acquire both in-service and out-of-service rail lines for enhanced freight and passenger services. North Carolina Sen. Tom McInnis is chairman of the North Carolina delegation of the VA-NC Interstate High Speed Rail Compact and a chairman of state legislative transportation committees.

“This agreement takes us a big step forward in our efforts to better connect North Carolina communities,” McInnis said. “And it will offer new connections between our state and our neighbors, providing lasting economic development opportunities for our state.”

Warren Co. Coop. Extension to Hold FREE Track-Out Success Camp

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-Information courtesy the Warren County Cooperative Extension Center

The Warren County Cooperative Extension Center/EFNEP Program will hold a Track-Out Success Camp for children on January 6-7 and 9-10, 2020, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The camp will be held at the Warren County Center located at 158 Rafters Lane, Warrenton, NC 27589.

Come and join us on your track-out week to learn about nutrition and how to prepare healthy food! The program is open to all school-age children and is offered at no cost!

Click here to register. Don’t wait – spaces are limited.

Reminder: Warrenton Christmas Parade This Saturday!

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-Information courtesy the Rotary Club of Warrenton

The 2019 Warrenton Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 14 beginning at 5 p.m. on Main Street in Historic Downtown Warrenton. The parade is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Warrenton and the Town of Warrenton.

In case of rain, the parade will be held Sunday, December 15 beginning at 5 p.m.

Parade lineup will be emailed to participants at least the day before the event, explaining how the lineup will work and encouraging participants to arrive no later than 4 p.m.

‘Merry Grinchmas’ to Offer Holiday Goodies, Photo Op With the Grinch Himself

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-Information courtesy the Warren County Memorial Library

The Warren County Memorial Library will host a Christmas event for the entire family on Saturday, December 21, 2019.

Bring your family, friends and a camera to capture pictures with the Grinch from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

“Enjoy holiday stories and plenty of fun…cookies and books for everyone!”

This event is sponsored by The Friends of the WCM Library.

Join the ‘Maintain, Don’t Gain’ Holiday Weight Challenge!

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-Information courtesy Warren County NC Cooperative Extension Center

The Warren County NC Cooperative Extension Center invites everyone to participate in the 13th annual Eat Smart, Move More, Maintain, Don’t Gain! Holiday Challenge held November 18 – December 31, 2019.

The challenge is a fun way to help individuals avoid holiday weight gain. Everyone can participate – whether they are looking to lose a few pounds, maintain their current weight or pick up new strategies to eat smart and to move more. And it is FREE to participate!

Individuals who are interested in meeting up face-to-face, joining a private Facebook page, and/or listserve will be entered for a drawing to be held on January 22, 2020.

If interested, please contact Crystal M. Smith, County Extension Director/Family Consumer Science at (252) 257-3640 or cmsmith2@ncsu.edu Registration (click here) is required on or by November 27, 2019.