Microsoft Office training courses scheduled at VGCC
Microsoft Office software training courses are set to be offered soon at Vance-Granville Community College, and grant funding from the NC TechHire program can help eligible area residents pay for them. These courses are offered in a “hybrid” format, with some coursework online and some on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County.
The “Microsoft Office Specialist I” course is scheduled to start Aug. 24 and continue through Nov. 2. The on-campus meetings are set for Thursdays from 5:30-8:30 p.m. This course introduces students to word processing (Microsoft Word) and presentation (Microsoft PowerPoint) computer applications. The deadline to register is Aug. 18. The cost of the course is $187.
“Microsoft Office Specialist II” is scheduled to be held from Sept. 11 through Nov. 13, with on-campus meetings on Mondays from 6:30-9:30 p.m. In this course, students learn how to create and use spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel) and databases (Microsoft Access). The deadline to register is Sept. 4. The cost of the course is $187.
Upon completion of these courses, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role and function of computers and the ability to use the computer to solve problems.
These courses are approved for funding through the NC TechHire grant that VGCC received last year as part of a consortium of four community colleges. Area residents between the ages of 17-29 may qualify for grant funding, which can pay for registration fees, course fees, and certification fees.
Registration can be completed online at www.vgcc.edu/schedules/occupational-extension-schedule.
State Highway Patrol Investigates Louisburg Fatal Collision
RALEIGH – On Friday, August 4, at approximately 9:34 a.m., the State Highway Patrol responded to a multi-vehicle collision on US 401 near NC 56 in Franklin County. A 2001 Volkswagen passenger vehicle, operated by Samar Ferd Jurdi, 20, of Raleigh, was traveling south on US 401. A 2016 Nissan passenger vehicle, operated by Chastity Calandra Stamper, 37, of Hollister, was traveling south on US 401 within a right-turn lane, parallel to the Volkswagen. As the right-turn lane ended, both vehicles struck one another while continuing to travel south.
As a result of the collision, the Volkswagen traveled left of center and struck a 2010 Honda passenger vehicle, which was traveling north on US 401. After colliding with the Honda, the Volkswagen traveled off onto the northbound shoulder of US 401 and overturned within a creek.
Volkswagen Occupants:
Driver:
Samar Ferd Jurdi was transported to Wake Medical Center with serious injuries
Passengers:
• Ryan Zavala, 14, of Louisburg was transported to Wake Medical Center with serious injuries.
• Rami Eleitar, 9, of Raleigh was transported to Wake Medical Center with serious injuries.
• Michelle Zavala, 1, of Louisburg succumbed to her injuries at Wake Medical Center.
• Kathaleen Maldanado, 4, of Louisburg was transported to Wake Medical Center with serious injuries.
Nissan Occupant:
Driver:
Chastity Calandra Stamper was not injured
Honda Occupant:
Driver:
Anna Williams Collier, 46, of Louisburg was transported to Wake Medical Center with serious injuries.
Investigators are still determining the contributing circumstances for the collision. SHP’s collision reconstruction unit is assisting with the investigation.
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Oxford Prep Students Personalize Parking Spots
The final year of high school has already begun for the Oxford Prep Class of 2018.
Once again, Griffin seniors joined together on a weekend in early August to personalize their senior parking spot.
Friends, brothers and sisters, parents and others join with the seniors to spend a weekend painting their own design creations on the parking space that is reserved for the senior’s use until they graduate in May.
NC Army National Guard Deactivation of the 1132nd Military Police Company
RALEIGH, N.C. – As part of a nationwide U.S. Army and National Guard force reduction/reorganization plan, the North Carolina Army National Guard will deactivate the 1132nd Military Police Company, at its headquarters in Rocky Mount, on Sunday, Aug 6, 2017.
The deactivation of the 1132nd has been planned for over a year. Approximately150 soldiers are assigned to the unit.
“The 1132nd’s deactivation will not end our commitment to serving the state in times of need and disaster,” said Brig. Gen. John Byrd, NCNG’s Assistant Adjutant General for Domestic Operations.
Virtually every Soldier in the 1132nd has been reassigned to other North Carolina Army National Guard military police units, decided to reclassify to other job specialties in the Guard, transfer to active duty or the reserves, or retire.
The 1132nd maintained three armories in Mount Olive, Tarboro, and Rocky Mount. All three will close within the next 6-9 months and be transferred to the State Property Office for final divestiture.
The 1132nd was established in December 2002. The unit deployed to Iraq on Dec. 12, 2007, and worked with the Iraqi Police Service, providing training and oversight of police operations in southeast Baghdad. Tragically, the complex and dangerous nature of the mission led to five Soldiers losing their lives in service to their country and over 20 wounded-in-action, before the 1132nd’s combat tour ended in the fall of 2008.
The 1132nd supported multiple state emergencies since its origin, to include last year’s Charlotte riots and Hurricane Matthew.
Operation Summer Magic Results in Six Arrests in Franklin County
RALEIGH – Nearly 40 law enforcement and probation/parole officers, as well as support staff from state, local and federal agencies, joined forces this week for Operation Summer Magic, an enforcement operation that served outstanding criminal warrants and conducted compliance checks on high risk and violent offenders on probation and parole in Franklin County.
“Law enforcement agency partnerships are key to maintaining safe communities in Franklin County, as well as across the state,” said N.C. Department of Public Safety Community Corrections Director Tracy Lee. “We thank our partners for their hard work and collaboration on this operation.”
The one-day operation saw 27 residences searched, with six arrests. Law enforcement seized:
- 3 firearms;
- 1 bulletproof vest;
- Marijuana and drug paraphernalia; and
- 48 packets of heroin.
Participating agencies included DPS Community Corrections (Probation/Parole), DPS Special Operations Unit, federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Franklinton Police Department, Youngsville Police Department, Louisburg Police Department and N.C. Information Sharing and Analysis Center (NC ISAAC). The operation was supported by canines and handlers from DPS and the local law enforcement agencies.
Franklin County Sheriff Kent Winstead, said, “We are appreciative of our local, state and federal partners who came together in a collaborative effort to serve warrants and ensure high-risk offenders were in compliance with the terms of their probation.”
Louisburg Police Chief Jason Abbott said, “With our communities shaken by numerous recent acts of violence that have crossed several jurisdictions, I am grateful for the relationships we share with our community leaders, and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners. Collectively, and with community support, we are taking a proactive approach to end the senseless violence in our neighborhoods.”
Franklinton Police Chief John Green said, “We are thankful for all local, state and federal agencies coming together in this joint operation in this county.”
Added Youngsville Police Chief Daren Kirts, “This is great when all of Franklin County law enforcement comes together for the safety of its citizens.”
For more information about Operation Summer Magic, please contact Terry Wright at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at (919) 727-0834.
