GRANVILLE COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: A winter storm is expected to impact Granville County this weekend. Current forecasts indicate that wintry precipitation will likely begin Saturday and continue into Sunday. Snow, Sleet and Freezing Rain could lead to hazardous travel, especially Saturday night.  While exact amounts are still uncertain, confidence is increasing that this will be an impactful winter weather event.

Take time now to prepare for this winter weather event and for the remaining winter months. Review your family emergency plan (https://www.readync.gov/plan-and-prepare/make-plan#Tab Communications-48) with everyone in your home and make sure your emergency supply kit is up to date. Be prepared to be self- sufficient for at least 72 hours!

• Build a kit with all the essentials you might need, so you don’t need to scramble in the dark. Ensure you have enough supplies for all family members for 72 hours. Find a list of supplies at https://www.readync.gov/plan-and-prepare/get-kit.

• Most of these items can be found in your home. It is important to put them in one place and be sure every family member knows where the kit is kept.

• Plan for your pets too! https://www.readync.gov/plan-and-prepare/get-kit#Tab-Pets-36

Now is the time to finish preparations, prepare for possible power outages, plan for potential travel disruptions, and stay up to date with the latest forecast through the weekend. Follow trusted sources for the latest updates:

• NWS Raleigh: Weather.gov/rah/

• NWS Raleigh Winter Weather page: Weather.gov/rah/winter

For more information on how to prepare for winter storms, visit: ReadyNC Winter Weather (https://www.readync.gov/winter-weather).

Winter storms create dangerous conditions. Please use caution when traveling, shoveling snow, and heating your home!

HENDERSON, NC (January 15, 2026) — Vance-Granville Community College will bring together more than 100 outstanding middle and high school musicians from across the region for its fourth annual Youth Honor Band, culminating in a public concert on Friday, Jan. 23.

Band directors from participating schools nominated students for their musical skill, dedication, and leadership. The selected students will arrive on campus Thursday, Jan. 22, to begin intensive rehearsals; they will reconvene Friday morning and prepare for a polished performance that evening.

Throughout the two-day event, students will collaborate with peers they may not otherwise encounter, gaining experience in a collegiate rehearsal environment while developing advanced ensemble techniques. Music selections were not yet finalized at the time of publication, but event organizers offered a preview of what songs attendees might hear: “Vulcan’s Forge,” “Bushido (The Warrior Code),” “William Tell Overture,” and “The Sound of Music,” among other works.

VGCC music instructor and Community Band director Brian D. Miller will conduct the advanced ensemble. Jaron Cox, middle school band director at Franklin Academy, will direct the intermediate band. Together, the conductors will guide students through focused rehearsals designed to challenge and inspire young performers at different skill levels. A planning committee composed of VGCC representatives, area band directors, school administrators, local business owners, and community members organized the event.

The band’s concert will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23, at the VGCC Main Campus Civic Center in Henderson. The concert is free and open to the public. Community members, families, and friends are encouraged to attend and support the participating students and schools.

The Youth Honor Band reflects Vance-Granville Community College’s ongoing commitment to arts education and community engagement. For more information about the Youth Honor Band or VGCC Fine Arts programs, contact department chair Betsy Henderson at hendersonb@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3371.

###

About Vance-Granville Community College: Your community, your college. Since its founding in 1969, Vance-Granville Community College has proudly educated, inspired, and supported a diverse community of learners to achieve professional and personal success. VGCC offers 40+ Curriculum programs, as well as short-term Continuing Education, High School Equivalency, and Adult High School Diploma programs. Located in North Carolina's Triangle region, VGCC serves the counties of Vance, Granville, Franklin, Warren, and beyond! For the latest college news, visit www.vgcc.edu or follow Vance-Granville on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Contact: Courtney Cissel, Public Information Officer cisselc@vgcc.edu • 252-738-3484

GRANVILLE COUNTY HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION: The Granville County Human Relations Commission will host its annual fellowship breakfast to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. The event will be held at Oxford Baptist Church, located at 147 Main Street in Oxford.

The event will feature readings from the winners of the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. essay contest. The theme of this year’s contest was “Keeping the Dream Alive: Dr. Martin Luther King’s Vision in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” Students from J.F. Webb High School, South Granville High School, and Northern Granville Middle School participated in the essay contest this year.

Terry Green, Chief of the North Carolina State Capitol Police, will serve as the keynote speaker. The event will also feature musical performances by Tim Johnson and Benaiah Adesoji. The Granville County Human Relations Commission invites the community to celebrate diversity and unity in Granville County while also honoring the academic achievements and writing talent of local students.

Due to space limitations, tickets are required for entry. Donations to the Area Congregations in Ministry (ACIM) food bank will be accepted at the event.

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