Tag Archive for: #wizsnews

Deadline To Get Help To Remove Abandoned Manufactured Homes Extended To Feb. 2022

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Warren County residents who want help getting rid of abandoned manufactured homes have some extra time to do so – the deadline to participate in the grant program has been extended until Feb. 25, 2022.

The current grant cycle opened on March 1, 2020.  Cost to eligible property owners is $305.00 for a singlewide unit ($35.00 demolition permit and $270.00 landfill tipping fees) or $575.00 for a doublewide unit ($35.00 demolition permit and $540.00 landfill tipping fees).  County-approved contractors will be reimbursed through the state grant program, which is administered by the county.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), through the State Solid Waste Trust Fund, previously awarded Warren County a $10,000 grant to assist in the deconstruction of abandoned manufactured homes as part of the enforcement of the County’s abandoned manufactured home ordinance.

The county commissioners adopted the original ordinance in May 2008 and then adopted an amendment in September 2009. From 2010 to 2017, Warren County was awarded three grants in three separate cycles through this program to aid eligible property owners in the legal deconstruction and disposal of abandoned singlewide or doublewide units.  These grants totaled $89,500 over the seven-year period and resulted in the removal of approximately 50 units from the county.

For more information or to apply to the County program please contact Planning and Zoning Administrator Ken Krulik at 252.257.7027 or KenKrulik@warrencountync.gov. Forms also are available at the Planning/Zoning and Code Enforcement Department, 542 West Ridgeway Street Warrenton, NC 27589.

Vance County High School

Vance County High School Cancels Upcoming Football Games

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While Kerr Vance Academy has suffered few disruptions due to Covid, Vance County High School is not as fortunate. According to the school’s athletic director, Joe Sharrow, this Thursday night’s scheduled JV Football game and Friday night’s varsity game and next week’s JV and varsity football games have all been cancelled due to a Covid exposure. The school hopes to be able to make up the games at some point in the near future.

Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments

Kerr-Tar “Open for Business” Loans Can Provide Support To Local Companies

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If you are a local business owner employing fewer than 100 workers, there’s a no-interest loan available to you through the regional Kerr-Tar Council of Governments.

The “Open for Business” loans can provide up to $100,000 for qualified businesses who are in the process of getting back up and running after COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions.

KTCOG Director Diane Cox stated the funds “are intended for use as working capital (rent, payroll, utilities), inventory, and/or equipment during shutdown and reopening.”

Cox notes one major change in qualifying for a loan is that business owners are not required to demonstrate a loss of revenue as a result of the pandemic.

Applicants must provide the following:

  • 2019 & 2020 Tax Returns
  • Year to Date Balance Sheet & Profit/Loss Statement
  • Balance Sheet & Profit/Loss Statement for past 2 years
  • Registration w/State of NC
  • Photo ID
  • Proof of Insurance

“Our goal is to help get local businesses back up and running,” Cox said. Applications and additional materials can be found HERE (https://www.kerrtarcog.org/revolving-loan-program/).  Contact Cox at 252.436.2040 or visit https://www.kerrtarcog.org

Home and Garden Show 9-8-21

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Thank you for listening to WIZS Radio.  Your Community Voice!!

Information included in today’s show audio. Click play below.

Lunchtime Garden Tips – Proper Plant Selection and Proper Planting 9/15 at noon via Zoom

Native Tribes Corn Plot Tour 9/29 – 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Getting to Know Your Land, starting 10/21

Plan for planting strawberries.

Be on the lookout for fall armyworms.

Pull microstegium before it sets seed.

Do research for fall planting of trees and shrubs.

Hosted by Paul McKenzie with special guest Johnny Coley (Granville/Person Extension Agent)

Click Play

Water Treatment Plant Project May See $3.5 M In Federal Funds

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The regional water plant improvement project continues to move forward, but so far, it’s more like a steady trickle than a blast from a firehose. Rep. David Price visited the water treatment plant last week and met with officials from the area to share that there likely will be $3.5 million in federal funds appropriated for the project, which has an estimated price tag of $66 million.

Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington said Price toured the Flemingtown Road facility and spoke with the tri-county delegation about the project, which will double the daily treatment capacity when it’s completed.

The KLRWS serves Henderson, Oxford and Warren County; Henderson is the managing partner at 60 percent and the City of Oxford and Warren County each have a 20 percent stake.

Ellington told WIZS News Tuesday that the visit  gave Price a chance to meet with mayors and managers to see first-hand how federal funding would be used.

“As the demand for water from our neighboring counties, new customers, as well as the growth we are experiencing, this is vital to our future,” Ellington said in an email. “I spoke with Rep. Price as he was leaving and he assured me he’s confident that this would make it through Congress for this fiscal year.”
Others on hand for the visit in addition to Ellington were KLRWS Chief Operator Steve Gupton, Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon, Oxford City Manager Alan Thornton, Warren County Manager Vincent Jones, Oxford Mayor Jackie Sergent and others, according to Ellington.

The city of Oxford is in Price’s district and he received a request for funding from city government officials; Warren County and Henderson are in G.K. Butterfield’s district and Henderson city officials requested funding on behalf of those entities. City Manager Blackmon said each congressional district was given the opportunity to submit the 10 best projects to be considered to receive federal funds in the 2022 Interior Appropriations Bill. This project represents a collaborative effort from both congressional districts, Blackmon said.

“This appropriation is only a small part of the total funding for the expansion project,” Blackmon said. The current funding commitment from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality SRF Program for the expansion project is more than $45 million, leaving a gap of about $20 million. The $3.5 million appropriation will assist in filling the funding gap for this project, he added.

Price issued a press statement in June about his efforts to fund projects in his home district. “Clean water is not a luxury – it’s fundamental to the health and safety of our communities, but our aging water infrastructure urgently needs funding,” Price stated. “I’m pleased that the House Appropriations Interior and Environment Subcommittee included these critical projects in their annual funding bill, bringing them one step closer to reality with the passage of the House bill in Subcommittee.”

In addition to making repairs and forming expansion plans, the overall price tag is heftier because costs simply have gone up. The funding gap is preventing the project from getting underway.

One option would be to raise water rates slightly to cover the increased project cost.

In January 2021, the Henderson City Council approved a revised project cost of $57 million for upgrades to the regional water system, which serves 15 municipalities in three counties. At that time, Council member Garry Daeke, who also serves as the KLWRS advisory board chair, told WIZS that council’s action would allow the project to continue, but if additional grants or other funding streams couldn’t be secured, it could mean a rise in water rates.

Since talk of the project first began several years ago, there have been several challenges to overcome, including purchase of a new pump and rising construction costs. The original price was estimated at close to $40 million, but by the fall of 2020, the cost had risen considerably.

Town Talk: Hot Sauce Contest And Other Events Provide Entertainment For All

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Fall is still a few weeks away, but this weekend kicks off a bevy of events in Granville County designed to bring guests from near and far to enjoy everything from classic cars to beautiful glass pumpkins.

It all starts with Saturday’s Hot Sauce Contest, and Granville Tourism Director Angela Allen said the 15th annual event is sure to please. She listed numerous events that will be going on throughout September and October on Tuesday’s TownTalk program with host John C. Rose.

Visit https://visitgranvillenc.com/ to find out about events in the county.

Several bands are scheduled to perform throughout the daylong event, and there will be plenty of food and beverage vendors sprinkled along the streets of downtown Oxford, she said.

Of course, one of the main events is the pepper-eating contest, which will take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Winners of the hot sauce contest will be announced at 11:30 a.m. at the Overton Main Stage. Then, Allen said, there will be a special memorial to mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11. American flags are posted along the streets in Oxford already, she said, and after a moment of silence is observed to remember all those whose lives were lost in the terror attacks, local singer Jonathan Abbott will sing The Star-Spangled Banner.

“The cool part about the hot sauce festival,” Allen said, “is that there’s something for everyone.”

The classic car show will be on Little John Street between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., featuring vintage vehicles and souped-up, tricked out cars and trucks, she said. Children’s games and activities can be found along Williamsboro Street between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Vendors also will be selling their own hot sauces, and Allen said that she considers that to be one of the event’s biggest draws. “It’s just a really good foodie event,” she said. “People love that hot sauce.”

Check out all the details at nchotsaucecontest.com.

But Granville County events don’t stop with the Hot Sauce Contest, Allen said.

The Cedar Creek Gallery in Creedmoor has opened its pumpkin patch, she said. But these pumpkins aren’t grown on vines – they are made of glass and there are hundreds of them ready for purchase at the local art and pottery gallery.

Allen said there’s something for everyone, from traditional orange to beautiful blues and reds – a kaleidoscope of colors. Beginning on Oct. 1, about 100 limited-edition pumpkins will be available for purchase at the gallery or online. Glass blower Lisa Oakley, owner of the gallery, will sign, date and number each work.

Cedar Creek is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The pumpkin patch will be open through Nov. 7. And the gallery’s fall festival returns this year for the first two weekends in October, featuring live glass blowing and pottery demonstrations.

Events are planned for outside, she said, adding that face coverings and social distancing protocols will be observed inside the gallery.

“This is a really neat time to be surrounded by art and see how it’s made,” Allen said.

Visit cedarcreekgallery.com to learn more.

A short distance from Creedmoor is Butner and the annual Harvest Show, hosted by the Lord Granville Agricultural Harvest Association, will take place on Oct. 1 and 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event will be held at the corner of 12th and G streets in Butner and will feature displays of antique farm equipment, a working blacksmith and farm shop, and something Allen called “tractor games.”

Daily admission is $5 or $8 for a two day pass.

Back in the northern part of the county, the 6th annual military history show at the Henderson-Oxford Airport will be held on Saturday, Oct. 23. Proceeds go to the local Veterans Affairs committee, which provides advocacy, resources and services to local military veterans.

In addition to various military displays of uniforms, equipment and vehicles, Allen said there will be helicopter rides and reenactors, in period gear representing soldiers from various wars that the U.S. has been involved in.

And if you’re not too tuckered out from all the activity, this year’s edition of the Granville Haunt Farm is a destination that is a must-see – or a must drive-through.

Grey Blackwell said this year’s theme conjures up images from horror movies. “You’ll get to drive through their version of a gigantic movie screen,” Allen said, “as it comes to life on the other side.”

It’s a total drive-through event again this year, and there will be timed ticketing as well, eliminating long lines and traffic jams during the times that the haunt farm is in operation.

Beginning Friday, Oct. 1, the haunt farm will be open each Friday and Saturday in October.

Visit Granvillehauntfarm.com to learn more.

 

 

SportsTalk: Sam Feaver Settles in as KVA Athletic Director

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George Hoyle has left some big shoes to fill as Kerr-Vance Academy’s Athletic Director. The school has had numerous state championship teams over the years and now Sam Feaver will try and fill those shoes. Feaver has a lot on his plate and says the community has been great and thanked George Hoyle for making the transition smooth.

Coming from Crescent in Durham where he also served as AD, Feaver knew that athletics were a huge part of Kerr-Vance Academy. Feaver was surprised, though, at how much student’s families are invested in the athletic programs.

While most athletic directors also double as a head coach, Feaver is not coaching any of the school’s teams at the moment but is open to it. “I have experience with boy’s basketball and soccer, and I’m open to stepping in.”

One of the big issues Feaver faces as KVA AD is finding coaches. At the moment the school has an opening for a varsity boys, middleschool and JV coach and will either need a varsity girls soccer or softball coach.

Feaver says that things have been going well so far in regards to Covid with little in the way of interruptions. The fall season has been a safe one so far for KVA.

 

Cooperative Extension with Paul McKenzie: What Works in the Garden

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Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.