Tourism Development Authority wins regional award
- Stories Across Granville
- Lynn Allred
- February 28, 2020
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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.
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 level 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.visitgranvillecounty.com.
Request for Proposals – Juvenile Crime Prevention Council
- Stories Across Granville
- Lynn Allred
- February 26, 2020
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After studying the risk factors and needs of Juvenile Court involved youth in this county, the Granville County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council hereby publishes this request for proposals. Based on identified needed programs, the JCPC will consider proposals for the following program types:
Mentoring services (vocational focus)
Parent/family skill building
Interpersonal skill building
Home-based family counseling
Mediation/conflict resolution
Transitional services (youth coming back from residential services)
GED program(s)
Vocational skills
Restitution/community service
Teen Court
Substance abuse treatment/education
Tutoring/academic enhancement
Temporary shelter care
Stuctured day
Case management
Assessment
Only local public agencies, 501(c)(3) non-profit corporations and local housing authorities will be considered for funding.
To view the RFP file, please click here: JCPC Request for bids
Deadline for applications is March 31, 2020 at 5 p.m.
For further information, contact the Department of Public Safety, Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice Area office by calling Eddie Crews, Area Consultant, at 919-214-2348 or email walter.crews@ncdps.gov.
Health Director attends White House briefing
- Stories Across Granville
- Lynn Allred
- February 26, 2020
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Representatives of more than 30 states and territories, including Director Lisa Harrison of Granville-Vance Public Health, met in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 25 for a federal/state/local discussion in response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The discussion focused on the importance of the public health partnerships at various levels of government and underscored the importance of community preparedness.
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.
Federal agencies with individuals in attendance at the meeting included the White House staff, Domestic Policy Council, Office of Management and Budget, the US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of State.
States and territories represented included Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Nevada, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia.
The briefing was held in the White House Complex – Eisenhower Executive Building in Washington D.C.
Animal Shelter to host volunteer orientation
- Stories Across Granville
- Matt Katz
- February 24, 2020
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On Monday March 2, the Granville County Animal Shelter will hold at volunteer orientation at 6 p.m. for those wishing to volunteer and work with the animals housed there.
Participants should plan for a one-two hour training, depending on how many are in attendance. This training is mandatory for volunteer service at the Shelter.
The Granville County Animal Shelter is located at 5650 Cornwall Road in Oxford. Please call the Shelter at 919-693-6749 for more details.
Change in operating hours announced
- Stories Across Granville
- Lynn Allred
- February 20, 2020
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Due to weather conditions, as of 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, a decision has been made to open Granville County Government offices on two-hour delay on Friday, Feb. 21.
Hours of operation will be re-evaluated as weather conditions continue to change
If on the road, residents are asked to please use extreme caution when driving. Watch the Granville County Government Facebook page for upcoming news and announcements.
Voters may see changes in voting places for March 3 election
- Stories Across Granville
- Lynn Allred
- February 19, 2020
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The Granville County Board of Elections announces changes to polling place rooms and locations for the March 3, 2020 Election.
NOTICE OF POLLING PLACE ROOM CHANGES:
If your polling place on March 3, 2020 (Election Day) is in one of the following precincts, you will need to vote in a different room.
Election Day Precincts (Room Changes):
Creedmoor Precinct, located at Creedmoor Elementary School, 305 East Wilton Avenue, Creedmoor – voting is still in the music room, but it is now in the large open area.
Mount Energy Precinct, located at Mt. Energy Elementary School, 2652 NC Hwy 56 East, Creedmoor – voting is now in the Media Center.
West Oxford Elementary Precinct, located at 412 Ivey Day Road, Oxford – voting is now in the gym.
NOTICE OF POLLING PLACE LOCATION CHANGES
The following precincts have moved to another location and address for Election Day, March 3, 2020:
Oak Hill Precinct
Moved from Toler-Oak Hill School, located at Toler-Oak Hill School, 8176 Hwy 96 North, Oxford, to Camp Oak Hill & Retreat Center, located at 1528 Oak Hill Road, Oxford
- Voting will be in the last room on the right down the sidewalk. There will be a separate entrance for voters to enter and exit.
Salem Precinct
Moved from the Oxford/Henderson Airport, located at the Oxford/Henderson Airport, 6514 Airport Road, Oxford, to Oxford Preparatory School, located at 6041 Landis Road, Oxford.
- Voting will be in the gym. There will be a separate entrance from the school on the far right for voters to enter and exit.
Sassafras Fork Precinct
Moved from Sassafras Fork Elementary School, located at Stovall-Shaw School, 7696 US Hwy 15 North, to Stovall Branch Library, located at 300 Main Street, Stovall.
- Voting will be in the conference room.
Tally Ho precinct
Moved from Stem Fire Station, located at the Stem Fire Station, 100 Franklin Street, Stem, to Granville Central High School located at 2043 Sanders Road, Stem.
- Voting will be in the band room.
For more information on the 2020 election, click here: https://www.granvillecounty.org/government/board-of-elections/.
The Granville County Board of Elections is located at 208 Wall Street in Oxford. Please call 919-693-2515 with any questions.
Why should we care about food waste?
- Stories Across Granville
- Lynn Allred
- February 18, 2020
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Did you know that food is the largest component of material placed in municipal landfills? According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, between 30 and 40 percent of all food in the United States is wasted annually – food that could otherwise feed the hungry and reduce food insecurity. Not only that, but rotting food is the largest producer or greenhouse gases in landfills, specifically methane.
In an effort to reduce food waste, it is important for consumers to understand that manufacturers provide dating to help determine when food is of best quality. Except for infant formula, dates are not an indicator of the product’s safety and are not required by federal law, so consumers should “smell test” any food or drink that is in question before tossing it out.
In Granville County Public Schools, Child Nutrition departments are now practicing strategies such as “Offer versus Serve,” which reduces the amount of food that is otherwise wasted. Alternative food options are also provided in different packaging to spark an interest in trying new foods. In turn, good habits are being developed and encouraged among students and staff.
Separating recyclables in school cafeterias and within other areas of the schools has also proved to be effective. By implementing food waste diversion, schools can reduce a trash pickup day, save money on trash can liners, and reduce the weight of materials taken to the dumpster. Even more money can be saved if food waste is kept separate from the trash and sent to a commercial compost facility, instead of to the landfill.
To learn more about food diversion, contact Teresa Baker, Recycle and Sustainability Coordinator for Granville County and Granville County Public Schools, at 919-725-1417 or at bakertd@gcs.k12.nc.us. Baker is also available for presentations to local groups and organizations.
Granville County Goverment had 15 key employees retire in 2019
- Stories Across Granville
- Lynn Allred
- February 17, 2020
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In 2019, Granville County Government announced the retirements of 15 key employees who served residents in a wide range of duties and across several departments of the organization. What is unusual about these retirees is their combined longevity, with a cumulative total of 353 years of service – an average of 23 years for each retiree.
“What we have seen in 2019 is unprecedented, but we had anticipated these retirement announcements and had planned accordingly,” said County Manager Michael Felts. “In our managerial roles, for instance, we put new people in place to shadow outgoing supervisors and directors well in advance of the retirement date, so that we would have a smooth transition after training. That planning has paid off.”
Staff members retiring from Granville County Government last year include DSS Director Lou Bechtel (20 years); Carolyn Trappiel (41 years), Luanne Cox (38 years), Yvette Davis (24 years), Rebecca Baskerville (15 years) and Susie Forney (8 years), all of the Department of Social Services; Soil and Water Conservation Director Warren Daniel (35 years); Detention Center Administrator Jimmy Hayes (21 years); Cora Chavis (22 years), Detective Doug McFee (15 years) and Clarence Bowen (13 years) of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office; Emergency Services Director Doug Logan (30.5 years); Fire Marshal Donnie Boyd (28.5 years); Francine Hart, Cooperative Extension Service (27.5 years); and Willie Richards, Environmental Programs (14.5 years).
Granville County Government employs 317 full-time and 70 part-time employees, with its work force numbers making it one of the top non-manufacturing industries in the area.
“Having this many long-term careers says a lot for Granville County,” Felts added. “It demonstrates that members of our team are with us for the long haul, and we are proud of that fact.”
(Pictured are employees with more than 35 years service to Granville County)
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- Luanne Cox, 38 years
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- Warren Daniel, 35 years
Granville County manufacturer awarded for success
- Stories Across Granville
- Lynn Allred
- February 13, 2020
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In a ceremony held at the Governor’s Mansion on Feb. 5, Revlon Consumer Products, based in Granville County, NC, was honored with the 2019 Governor’s Export Award for its growing sales success in international markets.
Revlon was one of six manufacturers from across the state to be singled out for this award. A well-known manufacturer of cosmetics, hair color and other beauty products, Revlon has its largest manufacturing plant in Oxford.
See official press release from the N.C. Department of Commerce by clicking here:
Pictured (left to right) are John Loyack, Vice President of Global Business Services, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina; Harry Mills, Granville County Economic Development Director; Chris Fuhrer, Senior Director of Global International, Transportation and Customs; Mike Thompson, International Transportation Manager, Revlon; Renee Boyette, Triangle J Council of Governments; and Tom White, Director, Economic Development Partnership, Poultron Innovation Center.
Free rabies vaccines to be offered in Granville
- Stories Across Granville
- Lynn Allred
- February 13, 2020
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Granville County Animal Control will be offering free rabies vaccines for dogs and cats on Saturday, Feb 29. From 9 a.m. 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 are to be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age, and that rabies vaccinations should 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. For questions, please contact the Granville County Animal Shelter at 919-693-6749.