HENDERSON, NC (January 22, 2025) — The Triangle North Healthcare Foundation recently continued its partnership with Vance-Granville Community College by presenting a $25,000 donation to create a “Presidential Scholar Award”-level scholarship for VGCC students.

As a result of this donation to The VGCC Foundation, a $1,250 scholarship will be awarded to a student each year, beginning with the Fall 2025 semester. This is the fifth scholarship that the Triangle North Healthcare Foundation has established at VGCC to support a well-educated healthcare workforce.

The Triangle North Healthcare Foundation is a non-profit regional grant-making organization that supports and invests in initiatives that result in immediate and long-term improvement in the health status of the region. The organization focuses on Vance, Warren, Franklin, and Granville counties, the same four counties served by VGCC. It was established in 2011 as the successor to the Maria Parham Healthcare Foundation.

“We are immensely grateful for the generosity of the Triangle North Healthcare Foundation,” said Tanya Weary, Executive Director of The Vance-Granville Community College Foundation. “This newly created scholarship will make a significant impact on the lives of students by enabling them to pursue their educational dreams at Vance-Granville Community College.”

The VGCC Foundation (VGCCF) has over 300 endowed scholarships for students—awarding more endowed scholarships than any other program of its kind in North Carolina. In addition to providing scholarships and emergency assistance to deserving students, VGCCF supports a broad range of special projects involving education, training, and economic development in our community.

Numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, and churches have endowed scholarships, as well as the College’s faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to VGCCF have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business, or industry with a lasting gift to education.

To learn more about The VGCC Foundation, contact (252) 738-3264 or foundation@vgcc.edu. For information about other scholarships available to Vance-Granville Community College students, please visit www.vgcc.edu/fao/scholarships.

GRANVILLE COUNTY HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION: The Granville County Human Relations Commission hosted its annual fellowship breakfast and program to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 20 at Oxford Baptist Church.

The event featured a program entitled "Continuing the Dream: How Has Dr. King’s Legacy Inspired Me Today?" Town of Butner Mayor Dr. Linda Jordon delivered the keynote address and Benaiah Adesoji was accompanied by Tim Johnson in renditions of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” and “We Shall Overcome”. Each year, the Human Relations Commission solicits entries from local schools to participate in the Martin Luther King, Jr. essay contest. 2025 entries came from G.C. Hawley Middle School, Granville Early College, and J.F. Webb High School. The two first place winners, Kiera Coke and Parker Dunkin, read their essays to the crowd that assembled in the Family Life Center at Oxford Baptist Church. The second place, third place, and honorable mention winners were also recognized at the event and presented with awards. The complete list of honorees is below:

1st Place
Kiera Coke (G.C. Hawley Middle School)
Parker Dunkin (Granville Early College High School)

2nd Place
Muhammed Jassey (Granville Early College High School)

3rd Place
Ethan Burker (Granville Early College High School)
Addison Humphries (Granville Early College High School)

Honorable Mentions
David Davis, Jr. (Granville Early College High School)
Reese Keigley (Granville Early College High School)

Ontic gears up for further growth with appointment of new Global CFO Ontic, a leading licensor and manufacturer of complex engineered parts for the global aerospace and defense industries, has appointed Gareth Parkin as Global Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Parkin will assume full responsibility as CFO on February 14, 2025, following a detailed transition period with the current CFO, Toby Woolrych, and will be based at Ontic's Creedmoor facility in North Carolina.

An experienced CFO, Parkin joins Ontic from Messer America, a leading provider of industrial and medical gases, where he was part of the leadership team who successfully took the company through a sale process involving GIC in 2023.

Prior to this, he spent 19 years in various Financial and Commercial roles within The Linde Group. Most notably here he led the divestiture of multiple assets across the Americas to meet anti-trust requirements, the largest asset package becoming the newly formed Messer Americas which was acquired by CVC in 2019.

Toby Woolrych will be leaving Ontic after three years at the end of March, having successfully supported the renewed partnership with Ontic's owners CVC last year, during which ownership transferred from CVC's Fund VII to Fund VIII. He is looking forward to using his experience and expertise in a range of new avenues going forward.

Gareth Hall, Ontic’s CEO, said, “I would like to thank Toby for his significant contribution to Ontic. He has provided strategic leadership during a period of significant growth for the business where Ontic expanded its global footprint, signed a record volume and value of licenses, and extended its offering to an ever-larger number of customers and platforms.

“We’re delighted to welcome Gareth, who will oversee increased investment in enhanced customer support teams, dedicated repair capabilities, ongoing supply chain improvements, sustainment engineering resource, sector-leading data analytics capabilities, and the investment into our dedicated MRO network.

“These initiatives will reinforce Ontic’s unique abilities in the transition of complex part manufacture from licensors into Ontic’s facilities while maintaining or enhancing part availability to customers.”

With eight facilities across the UK and USA, Ontic plays a critical role in the supply of complex aerospace parts, providing customers with stability in supply and repair, and allows OEMs to focus on the development of new products by divesting their non core lines to Ontic.

Ontic currently supports more than 80,000 in-service aircraft through its portfolio of nearly 200 licenses. It manufactures over 8,000 product lines (supporting original equipment manufacturers, as well as spares and repairs) for its 1,500 valued customers worldwide.

About Ontic Ontic is a leading global aerospace OEM, providing complex engineered parts and repair services for established aircraft in the defense and commercial market.

Boasting a portfolio of 8,000+ top-level assemblies, Ontic is proud to work with our customers around the globe, with our team of experts delivering a wide variety of critical technologies, including fuel measurement systems, as well as a range of avionics, cockpit instruments and controls.

With over 50 years of product manufacturing and aftermarket support experience, Ontic has operations across North America, UK & Europe, and Asia providing strategic worldwide support to civil and defense customers when and where it is needed.

Contact Natalie Doel

Global Marcomms Lead

T: +44 7564 575303

E: natalie.doel@ontic.com

W: www.ontic.com

Oxford, NC, January 9, 2025 – The Granville Health System Foundation is proud to host the 11th Annual Granville Ambulance Chase and Food Truck Rodeo on Saturday, March 15, 2025, in the heart of downtown Oxford. This milestone event combines fitness, family fun, and community celebration, featuring races for all skill levels, live music, and a diverse lineup of food trucks, creating a memorable day for everyone.

Starting at 11:00 a.m., participants of all ages and fitness levels can enjoy a 10k, 5k, 5k Fun Run, 1-Mile Family Walk, & a Kids Dash. At the finish line, a Food Truck Rodeo and live music await, making it a perfect day for everyone, whether racing or cheering from the sidelines.

Race Schedule:

· 11:00 am: 10k Competitive Race Starts on Main Street

o This is a USA Track & Field Certified Course Race

o Participants must maintain a 12 minute / mile pace

· 11:20 am: 5k Competitive Race Starts on Main Street

o This is a USA Track & Field Certified Course Race

· 11:25 am: 5K Fun Run starts on Main Street

o perfect for those prioritizing enjoyment over race time.

· 11:40 am: 1-Mile Family Walk begins on Main Street

o Bring the entire family for a walk through beautiful downtown Oxford.

· 12:30 pm: Kids Dash begins at Littlejohn Street

o A quick dash down Littlejohn gives your little ones the chance to cross the finish line.

o Free of charge for children.

· 11:00 am -2:00 pm: Food Truck Rodeo in Littlejohn Parking Lot

o **Free Admission**

o Live music will begin at 12 noon

Registration Costs:

· 10K: $45 pre-registered, $50 same-day registration

· 5K: $35 pre-registered, $40 same-day registration

· 1-Mile Family Walk: $25 pre-registered, $30 same-day registration

Group rates available for groups of 10 or more!

Prices include a race tee shirt for the first 400 registered participants and awards for top finishers. Online registration can be found at www.ghsAmbulanceChase.org.

Sponsorship Opportunities:

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For details, contact Lauren Roberson, GHS Foundation Director, at 919.690.2148.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Granville Health System Foundation, supporting its mission to enhance healthcare services and resources in Granville County.

About Granville Health System Foundation:

The mission of Granville Health System Foundation is to serve as a charitable resource for Granville Health System (GHS), supporting its commitment to providing quality health care to all citizens of the community, where they work and live. The Foundation builds support for GHS and provides financial resources to purchase new equipment, develop new services, maintain, expand, and improve facilities. For more information about the Granville Health System Foundation, or to make an online contribution, please visit www.ghsfoundation.org. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization and all contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

About Granville Health System:

For over a century, Granville Health System has been at the forefront of quality healthcare. To cater to the evolving needs of its community, Granville Health System has extended its services throughout Granville County, ensuring convenient medical care access for its residents. The Granville Health System main campus can be found at 1010 College Street, Oxford, North Carolina. For more details, visit GHS online at www.ghsHospital.org.

Media Contact:

Lauren B. Roberson

Marketing & Foundation Director

lbroberson@granvillemedical.com

919-690-2148

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Article Podcast - 11th Annual Granville Ambulance Chase 

GRANVILLE COUNTY 911 EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS: The North Carolina 911 Board recently recognized Granville County 911 Emergency Communications for providing mutual aid to western North Carolina during Hurricane Helene and its aftermath in September and October of 2024.

On September 27, at 10:00 a.m., the Granville County 911 Center began receiving calls from Mitchell County due to a significant 911 system outage caused by severe flooding and other impacts from Hurricane Helene. For the next seventeen days, Granville County continued to receive emergency calls from Mitchell County ensuring that their residents received essential emergency services during the storm and the early days of recovery.

On October 13, Mithcell County 911 Emergency Communications was able to begin receiving their own calls again. “During this seventeen-day period, approximately 25% of the calls received at Granville County 911 came from Mitchell County,” said Emergency Communications Director Stacy Hicks. “Our team handled a wide range of emergencies, including flood rescues, medical calls, welfare checks, and reports of individuals trapped in homes or vehicles due to mudslides, downed trees, and rising waters. I’m proud of the work we did to assist Mithcell County while they were in distress while also continuing to provide the same emergency services to Granville County residents.”

“The NC 911 Board and staff took the opportunity at the December Board meeting to recognize and acknowledge Granville County,” said North Carolina 911 Board North Central Regional Director Brian Short. “Granville County served as a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) “friend” to Mitchell County and provided tremendous assistance and dedication to the citizens of western North Carolina by answering 911 calls from miles away in response to Hurricane Helene.”

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GRANVILLE COUNTY HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION: The Granville County Human Relations Commission will host its annual fellowship breakfast and program to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, January 20 at Oxford Baptist Church (147 Main Street, Oxford). Tickets can be requested by contacting the Granville County Administration Office at 919-693-5240 or Jessica.todd@granvillecounty.org.

Tickets are free but required for entry.

In addition to the breakfast, a program entitled "Continuing the Dream: How Has Dr. King’s Legacy Inspired Me Today?" will feature readings by the winners of the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. essay contest. This year’s contest entries came from G.C. Hawley Middle School, Granville Early College, and J.F. Webb High School. Town of Butner Mayor Dr. Linda Jordon will serve as the keynote speaker and there will be musical performances by Tim Johnson and Benaiah Adesoji. The event will also serve as a donation drive for Area Congregations in Ministry (ACIM) and attendees are encouraged to bring high-need items like deluxe-types of macaroni and cheese, tuna, peanut butter, cereal, oatmeal, granola bars, packaged meals, canned soup, spaghetti sauces, tomato products, crackers, lunch-box items, condiments, personal care items, paper products, diapers, and cleaning products.

The Granville County Human Relations Commission invites the community to celebrate diversity and unity while also honoring the academic achievement and writing talent of local students.

For more information about the program or to request tickets, please contact the Granville County Administration Office at 919-693-5240 or Jessica.Todd@granvillecounty.org.

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GRANVILLE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS: The Granville County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Monday, January 6, at the Granville County Convention and Expo Center. The meeting featured the approval of an agreement with the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) to complete a northwest area study of the CAMPO region, which includes much of Granville County.

The regional study will provide a long-term vision for development patterns, specifically related to water- resource and land management considerations, along with improvements to the regional transportation network in Butner, Creedmoor, Oxford, Stem and most of the unincorporated southern and western portions of
the county. Granville County will contribute $40,000 towards the cost of the study that will also focus on northern Wake County around NC Highway 98 and Falls Lake and western Franklin County around NC Highway 56 and US Highway 1.

Other business conducted on January 6 included:

• Approving Budget Amendment #9 for Fiscal year 2024-2025 to recognize and appropriate $55,000 from the Governor’s Highway Safety Program Grant, to recognize and appropriate $20,625 in NC Emergency Management Performance Grant funds and recognizing $1,125 in McKinsey Opioid Settlement funds to cover registration fees for the NC Summit on Reducing Overdoses.

• Approving the surplus of fifty-three firearms owned by the Granville County Sheriff’s Office and exchange for fair market consideration with Lawmen’s Police Supply in the amount of $11,733.93.

• Approving a purchase agreement with Motorola for fifty-eight portable radios for the Sheriff’s Office in addition to the thirty radios approved on November 18, 2024. The additional funding needed for this purchase totaled $286,011.

• Approving an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Project Ordinance Amendment to appropriate $222,360 of interest earnings toward the cost of the portable radios for the Sheriff’s Office.

• Approving Budget Amendment #10 for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 to appropriate $222,360 from the ARPA fund to the Sheriff’s Office and appropriating $63,651 in General Fund – Fund Balance to the Sheriff’s Office for the cost of the portable radios for the Sheriff’s Office.

• Approving a recommendation to allocate $1,000 to the Veterans Affairs Committee to assist with programs and services offered in the community.

• Approving tax refunds, releases, and write-offs for November 21, 2024, to December 29, 2024.

• Approving a bilingual pay incentive policy at a cost of $1,690 per year for each eligible employee that becomes certified in Spanish language proficiency.

• Approving the appointments of members of the Board of County Commissioners to boards, committees, and liaison assignments for 2025.

The next meeting of the Granville County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, at 7:00 p.m. at the Granville County Convention and Expo Center.

To stay informed about upcoming meetings of the Board of Commissioners, visit the Granville County website at www.granvillecounty.org where you can sign up for the “Sunshine List” and follow the county on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GranvilleCountyGov.

All meetings of the Granville County Board of Commissioners are now streamed live on YouTube! Subscribe to the Granville County Government YouTube channel to view the live videos at www.youtube.com/channel/UCbVYs817nNZw3JQFiySEeXg.

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