Henderson Fire Department’s Boot Drive Raises $13K+ for Maria Parham Oncology

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On Monday afternoon, Chief Steve Cordell and other representatives with the Henderson Fire Department presented the administration and staff of Maria Parham Health with a check for $13,300 to be used for care and resources for cancer patients.

Over a period of three days in October, the fire department held their second annual Breast Cancer Boot Drive to raise money for Maria Parham Oncology Center’s “Angel Fund.”

The “Angel Fund,” according to Hope Breedlove with Maria Parham Oncology, was created to help patients overcome the financial hardships that serve as barriers to cancer treatment and care.

According to Captain Lee Edmonds, the fire department was proud to top last year’s donation amount. “This is our second year doing the boot drive; last year we raised $11,353,” said Edmonds. “We had our pink boots and helmets out on Dabney Drive in front of Henderson Fire Department Station 1 raising money.”

Chief Steve Cordell and other representatives with the Henderson Fire Department present the administration and staff of Maria Parham Health with a check for $13,300 to be used for care and resources for cancer patients. (WIZS Photo)

While the pink boot drive just wrapped up its second year, Edmonds said the idea to raise funds for breast cancer started five years ago with part-time fire department member Ian Arthur.

“Ian came to Chief one day and asked if the department could get pink shirts made for breast cancer awareness, and Chief said yes. He [Ian] had a design made up, and the guys sold the shirts. That’s when we said we had to have something to give the proceeds to and we found the ‘Angel Fund’ at Maria Parham.”

With t-shirt sales only raising $2,500 – $3,000 each year, Edmonds said Chief Cordell had the idea to try a boot drive instead. “We raised so much more money on the boot drive that we felt we should continue,” said Edmonds.

Edmonds said the firefighters are proud to be a part of a fundraiser that allows Vance County citizens to give back to their fellow community members. “We felt that with this money going to Maria Parham Oncology, it would help our own people in the community. In today’s time, everyone is touched by cancer in some way, whether it is family or friends.”

In addition to being a morale booster for the firefighters, Edmonds said the annual boot drive is also a lot of fun. “With 30 members, each shift wants to outdo the other on their daily amount raised. So it’s always fun at the end of the day when all the guys are standing there waiting for the final number to see who guessed the closest.”

The donated funds also mean a lot to Maria Parham. “It’s hard to put into words what this means to us,” said Breedlove. “In our community, we don’t have a lot of resources for patients. It means a lot to have the support of our fire department and we thank them for coming through and making this possible.”

Breedlove also expressed gratitude for all the community support of this drive. “We are very thankful for everyone who came down Dabney Drive those three days and put money in those pink boots. It’s going to stay right here in Vance County and help our patients here at Maria Parham.”

Gang Free

Gang Free, Inc. to Partner With Community Organizations in Toy Drive for Local Youth

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Melissa Elliott, Henderson City Council member and founder of Gang Free, Inc., was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss her organization’s third annual partnership with other community groups in a toy drive for Vance County children.

In collaboration with Franklin-Vance-Warren (F-V-W) Opportunity, Deep South Tattoo and Coffey Bail Bonds, Elliott and the local youth involved with Gang Free will be collecting toys in the parking lot of both Roses locations in Henderson – Dabney Drive and Norlina Road – on Saturday, December 8, 2018, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.

According to Elliott, the majority of youth receiving toys will be age 14 and younger. Suggested donations include educational STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) toys to promote learning, dolls, and winter outerwear such as coats, gloves and hats.

“You can specify the age and gender of the child that you’d like to receive your donation and we’ll make sure it happens,” said Elliott.

Toys will be distributed to local families in need on Friday, December 21. Elliott said the organizations have set a goal of assisting at least 250 families with Christmas toys this year.

“We aren’t trying to make Christmas for every family but hope to provide at least one special toy for a child that otherwise would not receive anything,” said Elliott. “There are a lot of children in our county that don’t receive Christmas toys because their parents just can’t afford it.”

If you are unable to drop your donation off at Roses on Saturday, Elliott said the group will be collecting toys at any of the following locations through Thursday, December 20:

Gang Free, Inc – 940 County Home Rd., Henderson

Deep South Tattoo – 626 Corbitt Rd., Henderson

F-V-W Opportunity – 180 S. Beckford Dr., Henderson

To hear the interview in its entirety, please click here.

Oxford Police Dept

Oxford Man Sentenced on Firearms Charge

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-Press Release, U.S. Dept. of Justice

The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that today, United States District Judge Malcolm J. Howard sentenced JAMAAL RAY CURTIS, 36, of Oxford to 188 months’ imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release. CURTIS pled guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on January 11, 2018.

In 2016, investigators with the Oxford Police Department (OPD) received information that CURTIS was selling narcotics from his residence in Oxford. CURTIS was on post-release supervision arising from state charges, so on December 13, 2016, members of the North Carolina Department of Probation and Parole Services conducted a compliance check at CURTIS’s residence. Finding that CURTIS was not home, OPD learned that he was at the Oxford residence of his child’s mother.

When investigators responded to that residence and knocked on the door, they spotted CURTIS attempting to leave through a side door. Officers entered the residence and found CURTIS attempting to hide in a back bedroom. After CURTIS admitted that he had a firearm in a nearby coat, officers found and seized a .25 caliber pistol from a coat pocket. On CURTIS’s person, officers found over an ounce of cocaine and $3,000.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Oxford Police Department, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF).

News releases are available on the U.S. Attorney’s webpage located at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_EDNC

‘Home for the Holidays’ to Help First Responders & Veterans Affected by Florence

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-Press Release, Carolina Loggers Association

When Hurricane Florence slammed into North Carolina on September 14, 2018, as a category 1 rainmaker, it was clear that damage to the already rain-soaked state would be immense. As the state continues the recovery process, two groups – the Carolina Loggers Association’s Logs for the Cause and NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation’s United2gether – have joined forces with the St. Bernard Project (SBP) to help first responders and veterans impacted by the storm get one step closer to a Home for the Holidays.

“Every gift given through both the Logs for the Cause and United2gether campaigns between now and January 31, 2019, will go toward SBP’s efforts to rebuild homes for first responders and veterans throughout North Carolina who were impacted by Hurricane Florence,” said Ewell Smith, executive director of the Carolina Loggers Association. “While those affected have long since returned to work, the impact from this storm will be felt for years to come. The logging community in NC – one that was hit especially hard by the storm – is close-knit; we believe in giving back and paying it forward, and helping to kick-start the rebuilding process is the perfect place to start.”

“Recovery is a collaborative effort,” noted SBP co-founder and CEO Zack Rosenburg. “Through this partnership, SBP will be able to provide a predictable path home for disaster-impacted families of veterans and first responders in North Carolina. This is a great example of Americans rallying together for other citizens during times of great need.  We believe that this partnership is an example of the seldom discussed, but ever-present ties that bind us together.”

“Growing up in Eastern North Carolina and seeing first-hand the devastation of Hurricane Florence was heartbreaking,” commented Paige Keselowski. “Immediately following the storm, we created the United2gether campaign to support first responders in affected areas. Teaming up with the Carolina Loggers Association and SBP USA on the Home for the Holidays program is a great way for us to continue our support of first responders and veterans that are still dealing with the impact of the storm.”

The Home for the Holidays program is actively seeking building products partners to assist in the rebuilding efforts. Please contact Carolina Loggers Association executive director Ewell Smith at esmith@ncloggers.com for more information.

Henderson Vance Recreation & Parks

H-V Rec. & Parks Announces 2019 Winter Swim Lesson Schedule

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-Information and flyer courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center

The Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department announces its 2019 winter swim lesson schedule. Lessons will be held at the Aycock Recreation Center’s swimming pool each Saturday from January 5 – February 9, 2019.

Parent-Tot Swim Lessons (6 months – 3 years old) – This class introduces being in the water in a safe and friendly environment using games to learn basic swimming skills. Parents in the water with children.

Preschool Swim Lessons (3 – 5 years old) – This class introduces being in the water in a safe and friendly environment using games to learn basic swimming skills. Parents are not in the water with children.

Beginner Swim Lessons (5 – 13 years old) – This class teaches basic swimming skills.

Advance Swim Lessons (5 -14 years old) – This class includes gliding off the pool wall and rolling over onto front and back. A combination of arms and legs in stroke is required. This class will also introduce the breast and back stroke.

Adult Swim Lessons (14 years old and older) – This class teachers basic swimming skills.

Fee of $30 is due, along with completed registration form, by Thursday, January 3, 2019. Class instructor will be Tanya Edwards.

For more information, please contact Aquatics Program Supervisor Lauren Newlin at 252.438.3160 or email lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us.

 

NC Coop Extension

Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 12/04/18

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Vance County Schools 12/03/18

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News 12/04/18

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Town Talk 12/04/18

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Curtis Brame Sworn In as Sheriff of Vance County

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(Audio of the entire swearing in ceremony, except the portion for deputies and other staff, can be heard by clicking here.  Sheriff Brame’s first remarks as Sheriff of Vance County are at the end.)

(Video of Sheriff Brame being sworn in and outgoing Sheriff White’s final remarks can be seen at facebook.com/wizsradio and by clicking here.)

Earlier today at the Vance County Courthouse, in a Superior Court Room filled with family, staff and community members, Curtis R. Brame was sworn in as Vance County’s newest sheriff.

Brame, who began his law enforcement career in 1983 as a Vance County deputy sheriff, has worked with three long-serving administrators, including Tommy McGhee, Thomas Breedlove and Peter White.

After a “long” campaign that saw him face-off in May’s primary against two fellow democratic candidates before facing Republican Charles Pulley and unaffiliated candidate Allen Simmons in November’s General Election, Brame was more than happy to celebrate his victory. “It’s been a journey,” said Brame. “This is a day to rejoice and we shall be glad.”

In a ceremony presided over by the Honorable J. Henry Banks, attendees were welcomed by Captain Weldon Bullock and received the Invocation from the Rev. Joann Kittrell.

Remarks were made by Attorney Paul Jerry Stainback, Rev. Dr. Walter Melvin Brame, Rev. Audrey Davis, Brame’s sister and Patrice Brame, Brame’s wife.

Clerk of Superior Court Henry Lee Gupton administered the public oath of office to Brame. Upon completion, Brame was congratulated by Gupton and received a standing ovation from those in attendance.

In addition, an oath was administered to deputies, detention officers and the civilian staff of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.

In his first official remarks as sheriff, Brame expressed his gratitude for the leadership of Sheriff Peter White and his pastor, Opie Terrell of Nutbush Baptist Church. He specifically thanked White and wife Gloria for their encouragement and support during his campaign.

Brame also addressed the need for unity and communication in the community and promised that he and his staff would have an open-door policy on listening to the concerns of citizens. “Let’s take back our community so our schools can be safe, neighborhoods can be safe and churches can be safe,” Brame said.

Closing remarks were made by Sheriff White who praised Brame’s work ethic. “I’ve known this young man for a long time and I know his work ethic is second to none,” White said. “This guy is work, but most of all, he has a heart for people. I believe his work ethic and his faith brought him to this position.”

“Vance County could not have done any better.”

Following White’s remarks, a benediction was led by Pastor Terrell. A reception followed in the courthouse’s multipurpose room.