Wilton Express Library Back in Service; One of Three Express Locations in Granville

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-Information courtesy the County of Granville

The Granville County Library System announces that the Wilton Express Library is now back in service after being temporarily out of operation.

There are three Express Library locations – in Wilton, Oak Hill and Stovall – which consist of lockers, a computer kiosk with access to the library catalog and a book return. Materials can be placed on hold from home or from the Express Library site and delivered to a locker at the site by choosing this option when placing your “hold” request. Transit deliveries are made on Monday and Thursday evenings.

The Wilton “Express Library Center” is located at 2547 Hwy. 96 South, on the same property as the Wilton EMS Station, next door to Wilton Elementary School.

For more details, contact the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford, the main branch of the Granville County Library System, at 919-693-1121 or visit https://granville.lib.nc.us.

The Granville County Library System announces that the Wilton Express Library is now back in service after being temporarily out of operation. The express library is located at 2547 Hwy. 96 South, on the same property as the Wilton EMS Station, right next door to Wilton Elementary School. (Photo Credit: County of Granville)

NC Coop Extension

Cooperative Extension with Paul McKenzie 01/30/19

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Home and Garden 01/29/19

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News 01/30/19

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Town Talk 01/30/19

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Jonas Wheeling III, 19, Arrested on Multiple Drug Charges

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-Information and photos courtesy the Henderson Police Department

On January 29, 2019, members of the Henderson Police Department Special Operations Division along with the Special Response Team executed a search warrant at the residence of 452 Ford St. in Henderson, NC.

Upon SRT entering the home, the suspect fled from the backdoor which led to a brief foot pursuit. He was apprehended without incident. The suspect was in possession of narcotics and a firearm during this encounter.

During the execution of the search warrant over 8 grams of cocaine, 105 grams of marijuana, $335 in US Currency, miscellaneous paraphernalia/manufacturing supplies, electronic video surveillance equipment and one firearm along with several rounds of ammunition were located and seized.

Jonas Wheeling III, 19, of 452 Ford St. Henderson, NC was arrested and charged. He was charged with PWIMSD Cocaine, PWIMSD Marijuana, Manufacturing Schedule II, Manufacturing Schedule VI, Felony Possession of Marijuana, Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia not Schedule VI, and Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia.

Wheeling’s bond was set in the amount of $70,000 secured. He is scheduled to appear in court on February 5, 2019.

On January 29, 2019, members of the Henderson Police Department Special Operations Division along with the Special Response Team executed a search warrant at the residence of 452 Ford St. in Henderson, NC. Jonas Wheeling III, 19, was arrested and charged with PWIMSD Cocaine, PWIMSD Marijuana, Manufacturing Schedule II, Manufacturing Schedule VI, Felony Possession of Marijuana, Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia not Schedule VI, and Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia. (Photo Credit: Henderson Police Dept.)

During the execution of the search warrant of 452 Ford St. in Henderson over 8 grams of cocaine, 105 grams of marijuana, $335 in US Currency, miscellaneous paraphernalia/manufacturing supplies, electronic video surveillance equipment and one firearm along with several rounds of ammunition were located and seized. (Photo Credit: Henderson Police Dept.)

MADD, Crime Stoppers Aim to Get Drunk Drivers/Criminals Off the Streets

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James Baines, secretary of the local chapter of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and president of the Vance County Crime Stoppers, was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss his involvement with both organizations.

MADD

In explaining the mission of MADD, Baines said the simple answer is that it is a volunteer group of people who care about the community and want to help get drunk drivers off the roads. “We need the community’s support; we can’t do this alone,” explained Baines.

Volunteers are needed in the following areas:

  • Community Outreach – volunteers who will create awareness of MADD’S mission
  • Court Monitors – volunteers who are trained to observe court process and record court decisions
  • Sobriety Checkpoints – volunteers who will support law enforcement officers at checkpoints
  • Victims Advocate Services – volunteers who are trained to assist in the healing journey by offering emotional support for families who endure a loss of a loved one due to a drunk driver

According to Baines, court monitors receive training on how to record the proceedings and outcomes of local DWI trials, while volunteers at sobriety checkpoints assist by providing law enforcement with meals and refreshments.

While he did not have exact figures, Baines said sobriety checkpoints typically result in 3 – 4 charges of DWI, no operator’s license, no auto insurance coverage and underage drinking.

To help combat the problem of underage drinking and driving, MADD has started a “Power of You(th)” program aimed at educating high school students.

Baines has seen his fair share of young lives ruined by drunk driving in his over 30-year career with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office. “The kids need to know that they could kill or injure someone if they drink and drive. You don’t want to ruin your life. We want them to know if they do drink, they need to find someone else to drive.”

The local chapter of MADD meets once a quarter – on the fourth Tuesday of the given month – at 6 p.m. in the County Commissioners’ Room inside the “old courthouse” on Young St. in Henderson. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23, 2019.

If you are interested in joining or volunteering, please call Lorraine Watkins, president of the local MADD chapter, at (252) 492-8407.

Vance County Crime Stoppers

Switching hats, Baines, the recently named president of the Vance County Crime Stoppers, discussed the organization’s mission and fundraising opportunities.

Baines said his love for his community and for its leaders and citizens prompted him to join the organization five years ago. “I wanted to make a better community for our kids and grandkids. I’m going to do my best [as president] to make Henderson and Vance County a safer place to live and work.”

Crime Stoppers works much the same way that it has for its now 25-year history – those that witness a crime can call the hotline at (252) 492-1925 to report an anonymous tip. If that tip leads to an arrest or a conviction, the caller can be paid up to $2,000. Tips can also be reported by text via the P3 app.

Various Crime Stopper fundraisers, including the annual Kerr Lake golf tournament and annual recognition and award banquet, provide money for paying out eligible hotline tips.

“We want the community to be our eyes and ears. Our law enforcement officers get up every morning and don’t know if they are going to make it home to their families. If you see anything, say it! Don’t be afraid to call and leave a tip.”

Vance County Crime Stoppers is always looking for new members and is currently accepting applications for volunteers to serve on the Advisory Board. With questions or more information on joining Crime Stoppers, please call James Baines at (252) 430-9218.

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

U.S. Department of Justice

Henderson Man Sentenced for Receipt of Firearm While Under Indictment

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

United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today in federal court, United States District Judge James C. Dever, III sentenced TYQUEL ALSTON, 19, of Henderson, North Carolina to 54 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

ALSTON was named in an Indictment filed on May 16, 2018, charging him with receipt of a firearm while under indictment. On August 7, 2018, ALSTON pled guilty to that charge.

On May 9, 2018, ALSTON was pulled over leaving a known drug area by law enforcement officers with the Henderson Police Department. ALSTON was driving erratically and at a high rate of speed when law enforcement initiated the traffic stop. Officers could smell marijuana in his car and subsequently searched the car. Under the passenger seat officers found a Leinad Inc., Model M-11, 9mm pistol with an extended magazine. The magazine was loaded with 16 rounds. ALSTON is a prohibited possessor of firearms because he was under Indictment for Trafficking in Heroin, Larceny of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle and Possession of a Handgun by a Minor. Those charges were then pending in the Vance County Superior Court.

The Court granted the Government’s request for an upward departure in the defendant’s sentence because ALSTON was likewise under indictment for his participation in a drive-by shooting that occurred on May 25, 2017. During that shooting, an unintended victim, a pregnant 17-year-old female, was shot in the leg when one of the bullets went into her home that was located across the street from the shooting location. ALSTON previously threatened his girlfriend with firearms in March and May 2018. On both occasions his girlfriend reported to police that ALSTON pointed a firearm at her and threatened to kill her during a domestic dispute. The indictment related to this shooting was pending in Vance County Superior Court at the time he possessed the weapon that was the subject of the federal charges.

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. Since 2017 the United States Department of Justice has reinvigorated the PSN program and has targeted violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

That effort has been implemented through the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Henderson Police Department as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charity Wilson.

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

Dr. Sydney Short Joins Maria Parham Cardiology

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-Information and photo courtesy Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health today announced that Sydney Short, M.D., has joined its staff and will be offering cardiology services to patients throughout Vance County and the surrounding communities. Dr. Short brings more than 30 years of clinical experience to Maria Parham and is the first cardiologist to join the hospital’s medical staff this year.

“Dr. Short has years of experience in treating a range of heart conditions, and he is an excellent addition to our hospital team,” said Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health. “Heart disease is an increasing concern in our communities, and Dr. Short’s expertise will be important as Maria Parham Health strives to meet our region’s evolving healthcare needs and make our community healthier.”

Dr. Short is a Duke Health physician and joins Maria Parham Health from Duke Cardiology of Lumberton, where he also sees patients. Before Duke Cardiology of Lumberton, he was a staff cardiologist at Duke Health Center of Sanford.

Dr. Short graduated from West Virginia University School of Medicine in 1983. He completed his internal medicine residency and a cardiology fellowship at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Dr. Short is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Cardiology. He is a Member of the American Society of Echocardiography, Physicians for Compassionate Care and the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology.

When he is not working, Dr. Short enjoys spending time with his family, gardening, woodworking and running.

Dr. Short will see patients at Maria Parham Cardiology located at 568 Ruin Creek Rd., Suite 128 in Henderson, North Carolina.  For a referral or to schedule an appointment, please call 252.436.1085.

Two Wanted for Vehicle Breaking & Entering at Norlina Speedway

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-Information and photos courtesy the Norlina Police Department’s Facebook page 

The Norlina Police Department needs help identifying the male and female pictured below. Both subjects were at Speedway in Norlina on Sunday, January 27, 2019, in the silver vehicle pictured. Both are suspected of a vehicle breaking and entering and felonious larceny occurring in the Speedway parking lot.

If you have any information, please call the police department at (252) 456-3401 or email police@townofnorlina.com. The source of all information provided will be confidential.

PLEASE SHARE AND HELP US IDENTIFY THESE TWO INDIVIDUALS.