Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Vance County GOP Annual Convention Held Mar. 19

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Vance County Republicans held an annual convention Tuesday, Mar. 19 and heard from several elected officials who expressed their gratitude to the local party and shared their plans to continue to serve constituents in their respective districts.

N.C. Lt. Gov and gubernatorial hopeful Mark Robinson was on hand for the official ribbon-cutting for the party’s Garnett Street headquarters, held last Friday.

Convention registration began at 5:30 p.m. and area precincts met at that time to elect delegates to the upcoming district and state GOP conventions.

Vance County GOP Chairman Jimmy Barrier kicked off the business session at 7 p.m. by recognizing guests, which included several state legislators.

Registration Committee captain Regina Ford offered an opening prayer before the group voted to approve the county’s plan of organization and its county delegation for the District 1 GOP convention – set for April 13 in Williamston – and the state GOP convention, which will be held May 23-26 in Greensboro.

William Heitman, the Republican challenger for Vance County Commissioner District 1, was the first speaker to address the group. His goals, if elected, are to bring growth, jobs and prosperity to Vance County.

Matthew Winslow, NC House Representative District 7, spoke on the accomplishments of the representatives and the importance of maintaining the super majority to continue positive change and obtain more money that our area has been missing out on because of previous representation in our state legislature.

N.C. Sen. Lisa Barnes told the convention attendees, “I’m honored to represent Vance County in the N.C. Senate and looking forward to earning your vote in November. It’s quite evident that this delegation of three Republicans in the NCGA is working hard for Vance, bringing back millions in funding for infrastructure, economic development, education and other worthwhile projects. Vance County has been under-represented in recent years and I plan to reverse that trend.”

N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon spoke about the recent forums he has organized for District 32 to address topics such as transportation, broadband, crime, mental health and human trafficking.

“I believe we’re making progress and moving in the right direction,” Sossamon said. “We’ve seen improvements with important projects that were funded that’s going to elevate our communities.”

N.C. Rep. Matthew Winslow, (R-Dist. 7) said he is honored to work colleagues like Barnes and Sossamon.

“Together, we’ve secured over $150 million in funding for Franklin, Granville, Nash and Vance counties, as well as lower income taxes for all while paying off our debt to the federal government, expanding school choice and growing our Rainy Day Fund,” Winslow said. He said that these policies and decisions have contributed to North Carolina being a business leader and said the state is “becoming one of the best economics in the world.”

Republican Congressional candidate Laurie Buckhout could not attend the convention due to addressing the Wilson Convention but sent Kim West, her political coordinator, to speak on her behalf.

The convention ended with a prayer by Sossamon.

H-V Chamber Seeks Nominations For Small Business Of The Year By April 8

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The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations through April 8 for the 2023 Small Business of the Year award.

This annual award is given by the Chamber’s Business Growth and Development Committee to a business located within the county that is supportive of community growth and sustainability.

There are several criteria to keep in mind when making a nomination, according to information from Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson.

In addition to being a member of the Chamber, the business may employ between 1 and 50 people and have been in business at least three years. In addition, it must provide a critical service or product, fill a void in the business community or have a unique approach to delivery of goods and services.

The nominated business should not be a governmental agency, municipality, school or non-profit agency.

All nominations must be received by 5 p.m. April 8 and must be on the official nomination form.

Request a nomination form by emailing Wilkerson at sandra@hendersonvance.org or by calling the Chamber office at 252.438.8414.

Sheriff Brame: One Charged With Cruelty To Animals After Report Of Dog Being Shot At Kerr Lake Country Club

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From a press release from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

On March 15, 2024, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a dog being shot at the Kerr Lake Country Club located at 600 Hedrick Drive Henderson on March 3, 2024.

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division alongside Vance County Animal Services conducted an investigation into the incident, which resulted in James Bradley Pierce of 140 Strawberry Lane Henderson being charged with misdemeanor cruelty to animals. Pierce was given a court date of May 6, 2024 for the charge.

During the investigation, no evidence was found that indicated any person(s) or dwellings were shot at, and there is no ongoing threat to the general public as a result of this incident.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at 252.738.2200.

From sources outside of the Sheriff’s Office, WIZS can report that the dog died.

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Tickets On Sale Now For VGCC Foundation Beer, Wine Tasting Fundraiser Apr. 13

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– information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

The Vance-Granville Community College Foundation is hosting a wine and beer tasting event on Saturday, April 13 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at HighRock Farms in Granville County. Tickets are $75. Proceeds of the fundraiser will be used to help support students who find them facing unforeseen financial crises.

The theme for the event is “Be the Light in a Student’s Life,” and there will be an array of wineries represented to highlight their signature wines. Local brewery Tobacco Wood Brewing Company will be showcasing their craft beers  Guests will be able to pair their beverages with an assortment of sweet and savory foods, including seafood, chicken and beef, according to a press release from VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel.

Unexpected burdens can easily derail some students. Having initiatives like a stocked food pantry, emergency assistance, transportation vouchers, and career closet, The VGCC Foundations steps in to meet students’ basic needs when the unexpected gets in the way of their academic progress.

Attendees will receive a souvenir wine glass and have the option to purchase their favorite finds. In addition, a variety of silent auction items will be on display for bidding throughout the evening. A short program showcasing students who have benefited from donor contributions will open the evening, and local students will provide the event’s entertainment.

Beth and David Hollister operate HighRock Farms, a 200-acre property located at 2317 Enon Rd., Oxford. The venue is handicap accessible.

Dress for the evening is business attire.

Purchase tickets at The VGCC Foundation office, online at www.vgcc.edu/the-vgcc-foundation-online-gifts and enter “Gala” in the Designation box. To purchase tickets using any other form of payment, please contact The VGCC Foundation by email at foundation@vgcc.edu or by calling 252.738.3264.

GVPH Director Lisa Harrison Receives State Honor As Health Director Of The Year

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Granville Vance Public Health Director Lisa Macon Harrison was named Health Director of the Year at the North Carolina Association of Local Health Directors’ annual awards ceremony in Raleigh.

Harrison, who has been at the helm of GVPH for 12 years, was selected based on her commitment to public health and “lifting the work, value and voice of health departments locally, statewide and at the national level,” according to a press release.

NCALHD President Quintana Stewart presented the award to Harrison. “Lisa is a leader not only for her health department but also for several local health departments in North Carolina and across the United States as she has shared their stories and passion while advocating for needed resources to support their dedication to improving the lives of our neighbors,” Stewart stated.

In a telephone interview Wednesday with WIZS News, Harrison said the award was “a huge surprise – I wasn’t expecting it.” She did say, however, that as she sat in the audience, listening to the presenter talk about the not-yet-named recipient, she thought the list of accomplishments sounded familiar.

“I thought, ‘That sounds a lot like my resume,’” Harrison said. “And then, all of a sudden, comes in the leadership team and  Michael,” her husband. “It totally surprised me – I didn’t know a thing about it until the end,” she added.

“It’s been such a fun experience,” Harrison said. “Being in public health is working with some really caring, skilled, talented, smart people who are just nice to work with. It’s just such a pleasure to get up and go to work every day – I’m very lucky.”

Harrison called her leadership team “amazing,” and said the staff of 100 works hard every day. “There’s so much work to be done in a health department and our people just do it really, really well, so we’re held up as an example in rural public health,” Harrison said.

Growing up in Cullowhee in the western part of the state and working in a largely rural area has shaped her career – and her passion – for rural North Carolina. Harrison became a leader and champion for rural communities throughout the state and nation and focusing on the importance of public health in all communities.

During her 12 years at GVPH director, Harrison has created, led and supported a multitude of public health service enhancements and expansions. The health department’s budget has increased by 129 percent under her leadership, a testament to her advocacy efforts with local and state elected officials as well as her gift of successful grant writing.

Since 2015, GVPH has secured more than $6 million in grant funding to combat mental health and substance use disorder challenges in the two counties it serves. GVPH was the first health department in North Carolina to offer Medication Assisted Treatment, building on the success of the primary care services model to provide regular visits with a healthcare provider and linking individuals to behavioral healthcare and support resources. As a result, the National Association of Counties selected GVPH for a Peer Exchange site visit in April 2023, bringing leaders from across the U.S. to the rural communities in Vance and Granville counties.

Since 2016, GVPH has offered comprehensive primary care services to ensure whole-person care, including preventive services for obesity, diabetes, hypertension and medical nutrition therapy.

In addition, GVPH has also implemented, supported, or led partnerships aimed at reducing the number of people with mental illness in jails along with 30 agencies representing law enforcement, jail administration, public health agencies, EMS, social work agencies, behavioral  health agencies, and community through the Stepping Up program. Harrison brought together organizations and community members to help kids stay healthy through the Working on Wellness Coalition, which implements and evaluates the impact of evidence-based interventions focused on nutrition, physical activity and prevention of chronic disease to improve child health and well-being in Granville and Vance counties.

Harrison also makes sure that the health department provides “safety net” care for its clients. Since 2016, GVPH has offered comprehensive primary care services to ensure whole-person care, including preventive services for obesity, diabetes, hypertension and medical nutrition therapy.

But her influence extends beyond county lines as she has proven herself to be an unwavering champion for local public health in North Carolina and across the nation. Harrison has often represented local health departments in media campaigns, on commissions and to statewide leaders. She served as a Task Force Chair for the N.C. Institute of Medicine’s Future of Local Public Health Task Force and was inducted as a member of the N.C. Institute of Medicine.

In October 2021, as the COVID pandemic continued to affect so many people’s lives and livelihoods, Harrison, as president of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, presented testimony to the Subcommittee on Health of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce highlighting the national public health workforce crisis and explaining that no other healthcare providers have the breadth of responsibility for communicable disease control as public health workers.

As a result of being a part of this national discussion, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra spent a day visiting Granville and Vance counties in November 2023 and participated in a GVPH-led roundtable discussion highlighting efforts to expand healthcare access and lower healthcare costs in rural areas.

GVPH Medical Director Dr. Shauna Guthrie, called Harrison a champion and strong voice for local public health in the state and nationally.

“Whether in her community, across the 100 counties of North Carolina, or the almost 3,500 local health departments across the nation, Lisa is a public health warrior,” Guthrie said. “She is an innovative leader who has highlighted Granville and Vance counties for community efforts to improve their health, and who finds partnerships across various healthcare groups to further the practice of public health.”

By partnering with agencies and organizations throughout the counties it serves, GVPH can effect positive change. Whether it’s with schools, hospitals or the juvenile justice system, these partnership touch people’s lives. “That’s what success means to me in public health,” Harrison said.

 

 

Vance Sheriff Curtis Brame: Two Arrested On Drugs, Weapons Charges

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– Information from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

On Friday, Mar. 8, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant for illegal drugs at a residence located at 87 Pueblo Lane near the Vance and Franklin county line.  Entry into the home was gained by tactical units from both counties. No injuries were reported.

Two men were arrested and charged with various drug offenses:

Demarius Vass was charged with:

Possession of a Weapon of Mass Destruction (A Glock pistol converted to fully automatic)

Felony Maintaining a Dwelling

Possession of Marijuana

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Vass was placed under a $20,000 bond.

A second person, Jatavious Boyd, was charged with:

Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Heroin (2 Counts)

Felony Maintaining a Dwelling

Possession of Marijuana

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (2 Counts)

Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

No bond was issued for Boyd because at the time of his arrest, he was out on bond for a previous charge.

Law enforcement officers recovered 100 Dosage Units of Heroin as well as approximately 2 grams of a substance suspected to be Cocaine Hydrochloride.  Four firearms and an undisclosed amount of US Currency was also seized.

Multi-Agency investigations into illegal drug trafficking will continue throughout both Vance and Franklin counties, to include the assistance of the NCSBI and other local jurisdictions.

 

 

TownTalk: 2nd Community Resource Festival A Success

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If the sights and sounds emanating from the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center are any indication, the second annual Community Resource Festival has delivered in its goal of connecting people with local organizations and agencies.

WIZS’s Steve Lewis spoke with a number of individuals as the festival got underway earlier Wednesday. The festival ran from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and provided for lots of networking and sharing of information to inform those in attendance about agencies and other organizations and the services they offer.

Michele Walker, sales and account manager with Huff Consulting has spearheaded the event, which came about because she saw a need in the community to help connect people and available resources.

More than 75 vendors signed up to participate in this year’s event, an increase from last year’s 68 vendors. Organizers anticipated several hundred individuals to come and learn more about available resources in the area.

From community partners like Granville Vance Public Health to businesses like Sunrock and others, the festival brings together under one roof a variety of area organization who want to share information, provide support or advertise job openings.

VGCC Dean of Business, Applied Tech and Public Service, Stephanie Tolbert joined forces with Huff to plan the day’s events this year. In an earlier interview on TownTalk, Tolbert said everyone who stops in during the day will leave with a ball full of freebies, “but more importantly, knowledge about resources that they didn’t know existed in their backyards.”

Did you know, for example, that Granville Vance Public Health offers a program called Sleep Safe for families and parents of newborns? Health department representatives Tammy Davis and Elizabeth Leggings shared information at the resource fair about the program to show parents how to position their babies when they are sleeping to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and asphyxiation.

When their newborn is three months old, parents can take another class that talks about the importance of “tummy time.” Participants who complete the class get a tummy time mat.

Visit www.gvph.org to learn about all the programs and services the health department provides.

If you visited the HUBzone Technology Initiative booth, you likely chatted with Bryant Davis or Ron Taylor to learn that the Henderson-based nonprofit is now giving refurbished laptops to individuals who qualify and not just to organizations.

That’s huge, but that’s what HUBzone does – it takes donated laptops and turns them into Chromebooks to give away to those who need them.

Got a laptop sitting around that you don’t use? Consider donating to HUBzone Technology Initiative- the more they give away, the more they’ll need to refurbish.

But the guys at the HUBzone table also want to encourage youth under 18 to send in a video for a chance to participate in the 3rd annual “Triangle’s Got Talent” contest, set for Sunday, April 21 at Wakefield High School in Wake County.

A $300 cash prize will be given to the best novice act and to the best advanced act. All you singers, musicians, magicians, polish your routine and send in a video of the performance and you just might get a call to compete.

Visit www.hubzonetech.org to apply online.

Chances are you’ve seen a Sunrock truck at a construction site or hauling materials as you’ve traveled in the community, but did you know that Carolina Sunrock is a family-owned business that’s been around for 75 years?

Laura Green, HR recruiter for the Raleigh-based company, said Sunrock is a “one-stop shop construction company” because it provides its own products like asphalt, gravel and more for construction projects. Its gravel operation is in Kittrell and the asphalt operation is in Butner.

Visit www.thesunrockgroup.com/careers to find out about job openings.

CLICK PLAY!

 

Maria Parham Offers Program To Raise Awareness of Colorectal Cancer

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Maria Parham Health will host a Lunch and Learn program on Thursday, Mar. 21 to talk about colorectal cancer early detection and prevention. Seats are still available for this event; register online at MariaParham.com or by calling 252.436.1605. The program will be from 12 noon to 1 p.m. and will be held in the classroom of the hospital, located at 566 Ruin Creek Rd.

According to information from the American College of Radiology, colorectal cancer is now the leading cancer killer in men under 50 and the second leading cause of cancer death for women under 50.

African Americans are also the most likely to die from this terrible disease.

But colorectal cancer is nearly always treatable if caught early and can even be prevented through timely screening. It is recommended that you should talk to your doctor about colorectal screening beginning at age 45.

“We are committed to raising awareness about colorectal cancer and providing our community with the information they need to make informed decisions about their health,” said Kimberly Smith, Director of the Maria Parham Cancer Center.

“Through events like this, we hope to highlight the importance of early detection and screening in preventing colorectal cancer, ultimately saving lives,”Smith said.

Federal law requires private insurers to cover not only colonoscopy – but also virtual colonoscopy and other less-invasive screening options at no cost to patients.

A virtual colonoscopy is an American Cancer Society-recommended screening exam to be done every five years for those at average risk. The virtual exam may also be an option for those at increased risk who can’t physically tolerate a colonoscopy. The more people are aware of virtual colonoscopy as an option, the more people choose to be screened, and the more lives will be saved.

The Lunch and Learn Event will feature board-certified gastroenterologist Varnita Tahiliani, MD, who will discuss various aspects of colorectal cancer, including risk factors, symptoms, screening options, treatment modalities, and lifestyle modifications for prevention. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage with healthcare professionals in an interactive setting.

Lunch will be provided. Due to space restrictions, registrations will be limited to the first 30 attendees that register.

For more information about the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Lunch and Learn Event, please visit www.MariaParham.com.

No Blarney! First 300 At Shamrocks On Breckenridge Get Free Hotdog, Chips And Drink

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Free hotdogs, chips and drinks will be available to the first 300 people at next Friday’s Shamrocks on Breckenridge.

Deck yourselves out in green and head downtown on Friday, Mar. 15 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to enjoy vendors, music and entertainment from the Ballet Arts cloggers.

Southern Charm, located at the corner of Garnett and Breckenridge streets will be open from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. selling green beer and other beverages.

The complimentary food and drink is made possible by event sponsors, organizers said.

Mar. 7 Is Social Security Administration’s “Slam The Scam” Day

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Today is the fifth annual “Slam the Scam” observance to raise awareness about protecting sensitive Social Security information from fraudsters.

The Social Security Administration and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) are partnering once again to raise public awareness about Social Security imposter scams.

“As public servants, we must use every tool at our disposal to raise awareness and protect the American people against Social Security imposter scams,” said Martin O’Malley, Commissioner of Social Security. “Scammers use fear and deception to scare people out of their critical benefits. We urge everyone to protect their personal information, remain vigilant, do not give money, and report any scam attempts to oig.ssa.gov.”

Keep in mind that Social Security employees will never:

  • tell you that your Social Security number is suspended
  • contact you to demand an immediate payment
  • threaten you with arrest
  • ask for your credit or debit card numbers over the phone
  • request gift cards or cash
  • promise a Social Security benefit approval or increase in exchange for information or money

Social Security employees do contact the public by telephone for business purposes. Ordinarily, the agency calls people who have recently applied for a Social Security benefit, are already receiving payments and require an update to their record, or who have requested a phone call from the agency. If there is a problem with a person’s Social Security number or record, Social Security will typically mail a letter.

Social Security scams–where fraudsters mislead victims into making cash, gift card, or wire transfer payments to fix alleged Social Security number problems or to avoid arrest–are an ongoing government imposter fraud scheme. Social Security impersonation scams have been one of the most common government imposter scams reported to the Federal Trade Commission. Social Security continues to make concerted efforts to address this issue, through extensive outreach and investigative initiatives.

Criminals use sophisticated tactics to trick potential victims into disclosing personal and financial information. Typically, they use these P’s – Pretend, Prize or Problem, Pressure, and Payment. For example, scammers pretend they are from Social Security in phone calls, texts, emails, and direct messages on social media, and claim there is a problem with the person’s Social Security number. The scammer’s caller ID may be spoofed to look like a legitimate government number. Scammers may also send fake documents to pressure people into complying with demands for information or money. Other common tactics include citing “badge numbers,” using fraudulent Social Security letterhead, and creating imposter social media pages to target individuals for payment or personal information.

To report a scam attempt, go to oig.ssa.gov.

“On our fifth National Slam the Scam Day, we are just as committed as we were in 2020. The scammers have not stopped, and we will not stop in our commitment to increase public awareness of these pervasive scams,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for SSA. “We are grateful for the many partnerships we have formed over the last five years in support of this initiative and the collaborative efforts that have come forth. We must continue to work together to slam the scam.”

For more information, please visit www.ssa.gov/scam and www.ssa.gov/fraud.