U.S. Department of Justice

Michael East Confirmed as US Marshal for NC’s Eastern District

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina comments on the confirmation of Michael East to serve as United States Marshal for the Eastern District of North Carolina:

“Today the United States Senate has confirmed President Trump’s nomination of Michael East to serve as United States Marshal for the Eastern District of North Carolina. I can think of no one better to take up this important position.

Mike East served the people of this State as an agent of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for 28 years. There he worked as a member of the Child Fatality Task Force Prevention Team, the Crisis Negotiation Team and as Special Agent in Charge of the Financial Crimes Unit. He led investigations focused on public corruption, violent crime, drug crimes, economic crimes and many others.

More recently he has served in my office as our first Forensic Investigator in the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force where he has focused on the financial side of drug trafficking investigations. He has, likewise, played a key investigative role in our ability to prosecute heroin and opioid overdose death cases. Mike has also provided critical training and assistance to law enforcement all across the State of North Carolina, around the United States and overseas.

Mike is well-suited to lead the men and women of the United States Marshals Service here in the Eastern District. The Marshals Service provides critical investigation services in a range of cases, secures our courthouses and other federal facilities, supports federal and state prosecutions through warrant enforcement, and plays a key role in the seizure, forfeiture and disposal of property used by defendants to facilitate their criminal activity or property which is the proceeds of that activity.

Mike East will be an outstanding United States Marshal. President Trump has made an outstanding choice and I look forward to working side-by-side with Marshal East and the Marshals Service he will now lead.”

News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s webpage at https://justice.gov/usao-ednc. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_EDNC.

Aycock Rec. Center Offering High Energy Aerobics Class

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

The Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department will offer Step Aerobics in the Aycock Recreation Center’s Multi-Purpose Room on Wednesdays from June 5 – July 31, 2019.

Step Aerobics is a 45-minute high energy fitness class that will be offered from 6:15 to 7 p.m. This class is great for beginners or those looking to get back into the swing of fitness.

Fee: $1 for members, $2 for non-members.

For more information, please contact Lauren Newlin at 252.438.3160 (lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us).

Faith Dove

New Covenant Christian Center Looking for a Music Minister, Keyboard Player

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-Information courtesy New Covenant Christian Center

New Covenant Christian Center, located on Salem Road just east of Oxford, is searching for a music minister and keyboard player.

If you are interested, please contact Pastor Zelton Hunter, Sr. at 252-915-0121.

Warren Co. to Hold ‘Listening Session’ on Mental Health, Substance Misuse

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-Information courtesy the Norlina Police Department’s Facebook page

In honor of May’s designation as Mental Health Awareness Month, you are invited to participate in Warren County’s upcoming “Listening Session” on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. This session will be held at the Warren County Armory Civic Center from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Join the community conversation and share your ideas and experiences on how to improve care for Warren County residents and their family members who may be experiencing mental health and substance misuse crises. Refreshments will be served.

Please call (252) 220-4640 to participate in the listening session or to schedule a private interview.

This session is sponsored by the Warren County Health Department and Cardinal Innovations Healthcare.

Town Talk 05/24/19

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News 05/24/19

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Henderson Police Department

Dabney Drive Drug Arrest Made on Youngsville Man

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-Information gathered from Henderson Police Department report

On Sunday, May 19, 2019, at 12 p.m., Henderson police arrested Preston Moore, 28, of 1034 Tarboro Road in Youngsville, NC.

According to the police report, Moore was taken into custody at 120 Dabney Drive in Henderson (near the intersection of Dabney Dr. and Oxford Rd.).

Moore was charged with Felony Possession of a Schedule I Substance and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was confined to the Vance County Jail under a $10,000.00 secured bond and received a court date of June 4, 2019.

Kerr Lake Caregiver Retreat to Offer the ‘Overwhelmed’ a Break

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Harvey Holmes, family caregiver specialist, and Laura Yeatts, aging projects coordinator, with the Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging, were on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the organization’s upcoming Kerr Lake Caregiver Retreat.

The retreat will be held on Kerr Lake at Satterwhite Point, 6254 Satterwhite Point Rd. in Henderson, on Friday, June 7, 2019, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

According to Holmes, the retreat is a chance for family caregivers in the Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and Person County areas to enjoy soothing activities, including chair yoga exercises, games, painting and more.

“Caregivers tend to be some of the most overwhelmed and overburdened individuals in the world,” said Holmes. “This retreat gives them a much-needed break from the stress of their caregiving duties.”

There is no cost to attend the retreat. Lunch and on-site respite care will be provided. Participants are asked to dress comfortably as it is an interactive, outdoor event.

Registration is required by Friday, May 31. To register, please call Holmes at (252) 436-2040 or email hholmes@kerrtarcog.org.

In discussing the pressure that caregivers often face, Holmes cited an AARP Public Policy Institute report that indicated the average US caregiver is a 49-year-old woman who works outside the home and spends an additional 20 hours per week in her caregiving role – the equivalent of an additional part-time job.

Holmes mentioned former first lady Rosalynn Carter’s famous quote about caregiving in order to sum up the importance of the role: “There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.”

To hear the Town Talk interview with Harvey Holmes and Laura Yeatts in its entirety, including additional Kerr-Tar Agency on Aging updates and upcoming events, click here.

U.S. Department of Justice

Durham Woman Sentenced for Heroin Distribution in Henderson

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announces that United States District Judge James C. Dever, III sentenced DOMINQUE RUSSELL, 30, of Durham to 24 months of imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.

On December 28, 2018, RUSSELL pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin.

On January 21, 2018, and January 28, 2018, officers with the Henderson Police Department (HPD) utilized a confidential source to conduct controlled buys of heroin from the occupants at 521 Spring Court in Henderson, North Carolina.

On January 31, 2018, law enforcement executed a search warrant on the home. In the room belonging to Jermill Blacknall (in federal custody awaiting Arraignment date) and RUSSELL, officers recovered a loaded rifle with two “banana clips” containing 27 and 28 rounds of ammunition, a 9mm 50-round magazine “drum” with 28 rounds, an empty Glock magazine in a Glock box (no gun), and identification belonging to Blacknall. A search of the remainder of the home revealed scales, a blender with white powder residue, 18.99 grams of heroin (in a car seat), and packaging material. Blacknall and RUSSELL’S two young children were also in the house.

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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and the Henderson Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Dodson handled the prosecution of this case for the government.

News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s web page at https://justice.gov/usao-ednc. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_ENDC.

SHP Urges Motorists To Plan Ahead For Memorial Day Travel

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-Press Release, NCDPS

With an estimated 37.6 million motorists taking to the roadways, as reported by Accident Lawyer Dennis and Paul Grossman, this Memorial Day weekend, the State Highway Patrol is encouraging drivers to plan ahead before traveling.

Regardless of the intended destination, an increase in motor vehicle travel is expected which may lead to congestion on major interstate, US and NC highways. With this in mind, troopers will be out in full force to monitor driver behavior in an attempt to reduce collisions that occur from high speed, impaired and distracted driving, and lack of seat belt use. Using the Vision Zero approach, law enforcement officials hope to report zero fatal collisions throughout the holiday weekend.

In an attempt to discourage impaired driving on both roadways and waterways, SHP has combined forces with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission’s Law Enforcement Division, participating in the annual On the Road, On the Water campaign. The campaign will be conducted throughout the weekend with an intense focus on removing impaired motorists who are operating boats and motor vehicles.

Motorists are encouraged to follow these suggestions:

  • Expect Delays – research routes in advance to include secondary routes, detours and possible road closures.  This can be done by visiting www.DriveNC.com
  • Monitor Speed – speeding is still the top contributing factor to vehicle collisions.
  • Wear Seat Belts – seat belts must be worn in both front and back seats if available.
  • Avoid Road Rage – use patience when driving and avoid other motorists who may contribute to road rage situations.
  • Don’t Drive Distracted – avoid any distraction(s) while driving that reduces your ability to drive safely.
  • Collision Reporting – motorists involved in a property damage collision are asked to remove their vehicles from the roadway to the shoulder or emergency strip. Motorists involved in injury-related collisions should immediately contact 911 or *HP (*47) for emergency assistance.
  • Reporting Dangerous Drivers or Other Emergencies – motorists are encouraged to dial *HP or 911.

For non-emergency information, motorists are requested to contact the local SHP office and avoid using *HP or 911.  A list of local district offices can be obtained by visiting www.NCDPS.gov.