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Franklin Co. Finance Team Achieves Excellence in Reporting

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-Press Release, Franklin County Government

Franklin County’s Finance Department now holds a 20-year record of excellence in financial reporting. Once again, the team has achieved the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.

The Finance Department was recently notified by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) that its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report was awarded the Certificate of Achievement. The Certificate of Achievement is awarded by the GFOA of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).

Attainment of the certificate represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

The Finance Office is staffed by Director Jamie Holtzman, Tracy Stevenson, Samantha Sanchez, Regina House and Christy Henson.

Franklin County Government is committed to effective and innovative public services for all Franklin County citizens and businesses. For additional information, contact Franklin County Finance at (919) 496-3182 or visit www.franklincountync.us.

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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 08/27/19

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Town Talk 08/26/19: VGCC’s Continuing Education Provides Skilled Local Workforce

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Dawn Michelle Tucker, Dean of Adult Basic Skills and Continuing Education at Vance-Granville Community College, was the guest of honor on Monday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk.

Celebrating 50 years of serving and educating the community, Tucker said the college continues to excel because it adapts to the changing needs of both residents and employers alike.

Dawn Michelle Tucker, Dean of Adult Basic Skills and Continuing Education at Vance-Granville Community College, was the guest of honor on Monday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk. Celebrating 50 years of serving and educating the community, Tucker said the college continues to excel because it adapts to the changing needs of both residents and employers alike. (WIZS photo)

“While there are careers that require a two-year or four-year degree, there are also careers that require a specific skillset or certifications,” said Tucker. “VGCC’s Continuing Education Department works to quickly ascertain the needs of the workforce and then builds a skilled workforce for the employers.”

In fact, Tucker said VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais has been committed to providing an educated workforce to meet the current and future needs of local employers since taking the helm in January.

“One of Dr. Desmarais’ visions is that we meet the needs of our workforce in a short-term, workforce development kind of way,” said Tucker.

On the Adult Basic Skills side of the house, Tucker said the majority of jobs now have a minimum requirement of an Adult High School Diploma or High School Equivalency (GED).

“When you complete an Adult High School Diploma or receive your High School Equivalency, you are laying the groundwork to an employer that you are capable of completing a basic level of education. They know if you complete a high school credential then you have a certain level of academic skill,” explained Tucker.

Offering programs primarily to adult learners 18 years and older, VGCC provides High School Equivalency classes free of charge at all four campus locations. Daytime and evening classes are available.

Other programs and areas that fall under the Con. Ed. umbrella include Fire and Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, Law Enforcement Training, Occupational Extension, Occupational Healthcare, Personal Enrichment and VGCC’s Small Business Center.

For more information on VGCC’s Continuing Education division or to register, please visit www.vgcc.edu/coned, register in person at any campus location, or call (252) 738-3324/(252) 738-3345.

To hear Tucker’s interview in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.

Address Canvassing Begins for 2020 U.S. Census

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-Information courtesy Granville County Government

Every ten years, America comes together to count all the residents and households in the country, providing the basis for reapportioning congressional seats, redistricting and distributing federal funds that support vital programs in communities, counties, states and across the nation.

Census results impact housing, education, transportation, employment, health care and public policy. Your community benefits the most when the census counts everyone.

Address canvassing for the 2020 Census has begun, with representatives of the U.S. Census Bureau in the field to update and verify local addresses.

These address listers may be knocking on doors across the area and asking a few simple questions to confirm the address and to request information regarding additional living quarters on the property.

For identification purposes, badges and briefcases will be visible indicating affiliation with the Census Bureau.

This operation is one of several activities the Census Bureau conducts for an accurate and complete count and will continue through mid-October as the 2020 Census prepares to officially start counting people in March 2020.

For more details, visit the Census Bureau website a https://www.census.gov/.

Two Louisburg Residents Arrested on Narcotics Charges

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-Press Release, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit and Special Response Team, arrested Franklin County residents, Rodney Antwan Allen and Disherea Mattquie Forrest on August 22, 2019. The arrest took place during a search warrant at their residence located at 350 Wilders Lane, Louisburg, NC.

Rodney Antwan Allen, 31 years old, resident of 350 Wilders Lane Louisburg, was arrested August 22, 2019, on 21 felony charges. (FCSO photo)

This investigation into illegal drug activity began as a result of citizen complaints alleging Mr. Allen was involved in selling illegal narcotics throughout Franklin County. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit validated Mr. Allen’s illegal activities and began an investigation. As a result of this investigation, the Drug Unit determined Ms. Forrest was also engaged in illegal drug activity. Mr. Allen was ultimately charged with 21 Felony charges and Ms. Forrest was charged with 7 Felony charges.

In addition to the original charges, Narcotics Detectives also seized Cocaine, Marijuana, pills, US Currency, drug scales and other drug paraphernalia during the search.

Sheriff Kent Winstead stated, “We encourage the public to be observant and report drug activity when they observe it occurring in their neighborhood. We continue to use the information our citizens provide to actively pursue those who sell drugs in our communities”.

Disherea Mattquie Forrest, 29 years old, resident of 350 Wilders Lane Louisburg, was arrested August 22, 2019, on seven felony charges. (FCSO photo)

Rodney Antwan Allen is currently being held in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $250,000 secured bond.

Disherea Mattquie Forrest is currently being held in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $150,000 secured bond.

Rodney Antwan Allen, 31 years old, 350 Wilders Lane Louisburg, NC 27549

Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver a Controlled Substance (6 Counts)

Sell and Deliver a Controlled Substance (4 Counts)

Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling for the purpose of Storing/Selling a Controlled Substance (7 Counts)

Trafficking Opiates (3 Counts)

Conspire to Sell Cocaine

Disherea Mattquie Forrest, 29 years old, 350 Wilders Lane Louisburg, NC 27549

Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver a Controlled Substance

Sell and Deliver a Controlled Substance

Trafficking Opiates (4 Counts)

Conspire to Sell Cocaine

If you have information regarding this case or you would like to report drug activity in your area, please contact Sgt. Ken Pike at (919) 496-2186, a criminal defense lawyer has already been assigned to the case.

VCS Bus Drivers Wanted; Next Training Scheduled for Sept.

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-Information courtesy Vance County Schools

Want to be a child’s hero? Greet students every morning and see them home in the afternoon as a Vance County School’s bus driver. VCS is looking for folks who have a class B license with P and S endorsements.

Please contact VCS transportation at (252) 438-5012 ext. 1, or stop by the transportation department to complete an application. Make sure you bring your license.

Don’t delay…. the next bus driver training class is September 23-25, 2019.

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Vance Co. Planning Committee to Discuss Flood Ordinance, ‘Stump Dump’

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-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Executive Assistant/Clerk to Board, Vance County Board of Commissioners

Please be informed that Vance County’s Planning Committee (Faines, Kelly, Wilder) is scheduled to meet Thursday, September 5, 2019, at 3:45 p.m. in the Administrative Conference Room, Vance County Administration Building, 122 Young Street, Henderson, NC.

Topics to be discussed include:

– Flood Ordinance Update

– Zoning Ordinance Amendment for LCIDs (stump dump)

Coach’s Corner 08/26/19

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NC Coop Extension

Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 08/26/19

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