Fire Destroyed 106 Year Old House; Cause Undetermined
The fire that destroyed a local, well-known house and church on North Garnett Street will be listed as having an undetermined origin.
City of Henderson Fire Chief Steve Cordell told WIZS News, “We are determined that it’s undetermined. We know the area that it started in. We are very confident in our investigation as far as area of origin, but, as far as the initial cause of the fire, that will be reported as undetermined.”
That is a permanent decision Cordell said. He said, “Unless something comes up or somebody comes up and gives us more information than what we were able to find at the scene, it will be an undetermined fire.”
Three representatives from the State Bureau of Investigation, three representatives from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Cordell investigated the blaze from 10 a.m. Tuesday until 5 p.m. Tuesday.
As Cordell explained it, the investigation was extensive.
The house was formerly a home place, later a funeral home and was presently a church. It was destroyed by fire overnight. The house was historic from a standpoint of its age, but also because of the well-known and respected families and organizations that have used it, including the Kesler family, the Flowers family and other present day owners.
No one was injured when the former Flowers Funeral Home Building at the corner of North Garnett Street and Hamilton Street burned.
Cordell indicated the fire started about 4 a.m. or 4:15 a.m. and was fully engulfed when fire fighters arrived.
There are pictures and comments on the WIZS Facebook page.
Another popular, local Facebook page, Remember When…(Reminiscing About Henderson, NC) has a video of the fire and a place to comment.
Papa John’s Delivery Driver Robbed in Henderson
On October 16, 2016 at approximately 9:44 PM officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to 1526 Dabney Dr. (Papa John’s) in reference an armed robbery. Upon arrival, officers found that a delivery driver for Papa John’s had been robbed in the roadway and in front of 617 Roberson St. for an undetermined amount of US currency and pizza.
The investigation is being conducted by members of the Henderson Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division. If anyone should have any information related to this case, they are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141. Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $2,000 for information that may lead to an arrest. Callers may remain anonymous.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow
Northern and Southern Vance to host College/Career Days
Vance County Schools is hosting two Career/College Day events, November 9, at Southern Vance High School and November 17, at Northern Vance High School.
Both events will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and are open to high school juniors and seniors and their families.
The focus of the events is to provide representatives that are from different career pathways to be available to answer questions from students, speak about skills and training needed for jobs in their respective industries and share information about opportunities for internships/job shadowing experiences.
There will also be representatives from colleges available to speak with students about college programs and services available.
If you are interested in participating as a vendor or would like additional information contact: phone: 252-739-7120, e-mail: mstevens@vcs.k12.nc.us.
Community Voices Program Continues Tonight
Community Voices group meets again tonight at 6-8 p.m. at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market for training with Dr, Michelle Eley from NC A&T State University and local facilitators leading the session.
Last week, participants worked on listing some improvements they would like to see in our community. Tonight we will explore narrowing those down and possible next steps. If you came the first time but missed the next session, please come back. We were excited to have some new people at the second session and want to keep all of you who have an interest.
Please arrive on time so we can respect everyone’s schedule. (Only light refreshments may be provided by participants on a volunteer basis.)
Domino’s Pizza Delivery Driver Robbed in Henderson
On October 12, 2016 at approximately 11:26 PM officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to 901 S. Beckford Dr. (Domino’s Pizza) in reference an armed robbery. Upon arrival, officers found that a delivery driver for Domino’s Pizza had been robbed in the roadway of the 800 block of Hughes St. for an undetermined amount of US currency.
The investigation is being conducted by members of the Henderson Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division. If anyone should have any information related to this case, they are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141. Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $2,000 for information that may lead to an arrest. Callers may remain anonymous.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow
Feeding NC Livestock could be an Issue this winter
Flooding in eastern North Carolina and drought in western counties has state agricultural officials concerned about feeding livestock and horses this winter. The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is utilizing a website, www.ncagr.gov/hayalert, to help livestock and horse owners in sourcing hay.
The Hay Alert website was first launched during the drought in 2002 and used again in 2007. It is similar to Craigslist, in which users can post hay for sale or hay wanted ads. The department will not be involved in the transaction beyond hosting the website.
“We’re trying to help farmers meet the needs for livestock and horses this winter,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Earlier this fall, we expected to have eastern hay to fill the void in the west, but the flood has ruined so much of the eastern crop. We encourage farmers to go ahead and start securing their hay for the winter.”
Farmers are encouraged to work with their local cooperative extension agent to set up a winter feed plan. They are also reminded that many areas of North Carolina are under quarantine for plant pests and care should be taken to not introduce pests into new areas. Check with the NCDA&CS Plant Industry Division for guidance if moving hay from a quarantine area to a non-quarantine area.
Overnight Fire Destroys Historic Building
Overnight Fire Destroys Historic Building
UPDATE: 10:30 a.m.
A house that must be over 100 years old and that was a home place, later a funeral home and a present-day church was destroyed by fire overnight. It’s historic from a standpoint of its age, but also because of the well-known and respected families and organizations that have used it, including the Kesler family, the Flowers family and other present day owners.
No one was injured according to City of Henderson Fire Chief Steve Cordell when the former Flowers Funeral Home Building at the corner of North Garnett Street and Hamilton Street burned.
An investigation is underway, and Cordell will join Kevin Bullock and George Rush at 11 a.m. today on TownTalk, if he can step away from that investigation for a few moments.
Cordell indicated the fire started about 4 a.m. or 4:15 a.m. and was fully engulfed when fire fighters arrived.
There are pictures and comments on the WIZS Facebook page.
Another popular, local Facebook page, Remember When…(Reminiscing About Henderson, NC) has a video of the fire and a place to comment.
H/V Chamber and HPD to Partner for Reverse Raffle
Update 11-1-16:
Reverse Raffle to benefit Shop With a Cop is THIS Saturday. Purchase your tickets now and donate items.
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The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce along with the Henderson Police Department (HPD) are partnering to host a reverse raffle. The event will benefit a program serving local underprivileged children called “Shop With a Cop” along with the Chamber of Commerce and its efforts to help local business.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, November 5 and will be held at Henderson Country Club beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and include dinner for two and a chance at the $5,000 grand prize. Throughout the evening, guests will be given opportunities to bid on various silent auction items as well as two reserved tickets which will be auctioned toward the end of the ticket drawing. Three reserved tickets will also be raffled during the course of evening.
The “Shop With a Cop” activity will take place in December at which time members of the HPD will take local underprivileged children shopping with local retailers for Christmas. A certain dollar amount of the proceeds raised will be set aside for each participating child. “I’m so excited about this event and the good that we can do for the local community with the proceeds. The HPD is always anxious to do what we can to help children”, said Police Chief Marcus Barrow.
There are opportunities for local businesses to donate silent auction items, sponsor the event or help in other ways. Members of the HPD and Chamber staff and board of directors will be making community contacts in the very near future.
If you or your business would like to purchase tickets, donate items or get more information, contact the HPD, Chamber board members or the Chamber office at 252-438-8414.