February, 2020 - WIZS

Reminder: Granville Co. Animal Control to Offer Free Rabies Vaccines

February 26, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

Granville County Animal Control will be offering free rabies vaccines for dogs and cats on Saturday, February 29, 2020. From 9 until 10:30 a.m., residents can bring their pets to Gazebo Park in Butner for one and three-year vaccinations.

North Carolina rabies law (NCGS 130A-185) requires that all owned dogs, cats and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age and that rabies vaccinations be kept current.

On Feb. 29, one-year vaccinations will be available for all dogs and cats over this age requirement. Pet owners must bring proof of prior rabies vaccination to receive the three-year option. Accepted proof of vaccination is the paper certificate provided by the pet’s veterinarian when the shot was administered. A rabies tag will not be accepted as proof.

Granville County Animal Control offers a reminder that all cats must be in a carrier and all dogs must be leashed to receive this free service. Vaccinations will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Gazebo Park is located at 416 Central Avenue in Butner. With questions, please contact the Granville County Animal Shelter at 919-693-6749.

Free Tax Assistance Available to Granville Co. Seniors

February 26, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy Granville County Government

Free tax assistance is available to Granville County Seniors! Representatives of the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program are available at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford from 5 until 8 p.m. each Thursday until April 9, 2020.

Appointment times are reserved for Granville County residents age 60 or older. This is a free service and appointments are required.

To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please contact the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford at (919) 693-1930.

Heroin, Firearm Convictions Get Jackson 13+ Years In Federal Prison

February 26, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today in federal court, United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced MICHAEL JERMAINE JACKSON, 35, of Spring Hope to 160 months imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release.

JACKSON was named in a four-count Indictment filed on April 4, 2019, charging him with possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine base (crack), cocaine, marijuana and CBD Oil UK, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of distributing a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On October 15, 2019, JACKSON pled guilty to that charge.

According to the investigation, in September 2018, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) began an investigation into the drug trafficking activities of JACKSON. A confidential informant provided information that JACKSON was selling narcotics, including heroin, from his residence on Wiley Road in Spring Hope, North Carolina.

After a series of controlled purchases of heroin and crack cocaine from JACKSON at his residence, FCSO executed a search warrant of JACKSON’S residence where they found quantities of heroin containing fentanyl, crack cocaine, cocaine, marijuana, drug distribution paraphernalia, a firearm and ammunition. JACKSON had just been released from a state prison sentence six months prior to the execution of the search warrant.

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.

This case is also part of 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 matter was conducted jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Dodson prosecuted the case for the government.

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February 26, 2020/by Charlene

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February 26, 2020/by Charlene

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February 26, 2020/by Larry

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Mayor Ellington Provides City Updates to West End Community Watch Group

February 25, 2020/by WIZS Staff

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Notes courtesy Claire Catherwood, West End Community Watch

The speaker for the most recent West End Community Watch held on February 18 was Mayor Eddie Ellington. The mayor is currently serving his second term of office. Ellington’s family has lived in Henderson for four generations. In addition to serving as mayor, Ellington works for Charles Boyd Chevrolet in public relations.

Mayor Ellington was pleased to announce that the police department is now fully staffed. Further, the city is in a good financial state, with a balance of $44 million dollars. This figure is 43% over the mandated requirement for city governments. No increases in taxes have been imposed in recent years, nor are they expected.

The City now has a new manager, Edward Blackmon. Blackmon replaced recently retired manager Frank Frazier. The City and County are working well together.

The Economic Development Commission has mobilized a delegation of people who organize tours for prospective industries. Tommy Hester plays a large role in hosting these events.

There have been many economic projects in recent months. Mentioned were – The M.R. Williams expansion, the Vescom expansion, Mako Labs, Maria Parham’s cardiac unit expansion, Life Flight’s helicopter pad addition at Maria Parham, improvements to the living quarters in the oldest firehouse in the state, the building of the outdoor pavilion in downtown Henderson, Sadie’s Coffee Corner, Biscuitville, Popeyes and Starbucks.

Mako was given a half-million dollars in incentives and has hired 200 employees. Maria Parham’s expansion added 25 new jobs. Sadie’s plans to soon add wine and cheese to its offerings. Henderson is close to being accepted for the NC Main Street Program.

Four hundred houses and businesses have been demolished. Included in the list were Howard Johnson’s Hotel and Mazatlán Mexican Restaurant and the adjacent hotel.

A $400 million dollar grant has been awarded towards the upgrade of the Kerr Lake Regional Water Plant. Water from Kerr Lake is being sold to Oxford.

In recent years, there had been six Henderson murders in a short span of time. At that time, Henderson had a severe shortage of police officers. A call to the Governor resulted in the mobilization of the SBI and Federal agents in Henderson. They remain active in Henderson.

As a result of state and federal involvement, area police salaries were studied. It was found that Henderson was not paying the equivalent of neighboring communities. Police salaries have not yet caught up, but improvements are being made.

Ellington commented that it is easy to criticize and complain about everything. Those present were encouraged to use what they heard at this meeting to help change the dialogue. A lot of good is going on in Henderson!

VGCC Offering Free Entrepreneurship Training Retreat

February 25, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

The Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center, in partnership with the Economic Development Commissions and Chambers of Commerce of Franklin, Granville, Vance & Warren counties, is offering a FREE all-day entrepreneurship training retreat entitled “Fostering An Entrepreneurial Mindset: The Entrepreneur in Us All” on Thursday, March 12, 2020.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Granville County Expo Center located at 4185 US-15 in Oxford.

This session features the well-known Ice House Entrepreneurship Training program based on the book “Who Owns the Ice House? Eight Life Lessons From An Unlikely Entrepreneur.” Inspired by the life story of Pulitzer nominee Clifton Taulbert and the life-changing influence of an unlikely entrepreneur, the Ice House Entrepreneurship Program is an experiential, problem-based learning program that immerses attendees in experiences that develop entrepreneurial skills and mindsets. They will learn to:

Identify and Evaluate Opportunities That Others Overlook
Embrace an Entrepreneurial Mindset as a Life-Skill
Identify and Overcome Self-Limiting Beliefs
Take Imperfect Action to Test an Idea
Map Out an Opportunity Canvas and Share It
Interact With Local Entrepreneurs and Business Counselors

Local successful entrepreneurs will speak to the group during the lunch break to share some things about their personal stories and local chamber and economic development directors will be on hand to observe and talk with attendees as well.

Morning coffee, snacks and lunch will be provided and each participant will receive a copy of the “Who Owns the Ice House” book. To register, go to https://www.vgcc.edu/coned/small-business-center/#schedules and click on the class title.

This project received support through a grant from NC IDEA.

Granville Co. Elementary Students to Compete in District Spelling Bee

February 25, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

Ten students from elementary schools around Granville County will compete for the Local Spelling Bee Trophy in two weeks. “All of these children are already winners,” stated Dr. Tonya Thomas, Director of Student Services for GCS, “and we know they are going to succeed!”

The 3rd Annual Granville County District Spelling Bee for third, fourth, and fifth-grade students will take place on March 10, 2020, at 7 p.m. in the multi-purpose hall at Tar River Elementary with a reception to follow provided by the office of Granville County’s Superintendent, Dr. Alisa McLean. The public school system is sponsoring the Spelling Bee again this year.

Families, friends and the community are invited to come out and show their support for these excellent students!

Four fourth graders will be representing their elementary school at the Bee:

Joel Jose, winner from C.G. Credle Elementary; Aubrey Canada, winner from Mt. Energy Elementary; Jasper Luffman, winner from Stovall-Shaw Elementary; and Bree Blackley, winner from Wilton Elementary.

Six fifth graders will round out the competition:

Cayden Middleton, winner from Butner-Stem Elementary; Belen Elizarraras, winner from Creedmoor Elementary; Payton Gary, winner from Falls Lake Academy Charter School; Jordan Hershberger, winner from Granville Academy; Morgan Congleton, winner from Tar River Elementary School; and Dacari Burrell, winner from West Oxford Elementary School.

Two of our spellers are return competitors from last year’s bee – Dacari Burrell and Joel Jose. Joel took the winner’s trophy home at the 2019 District Bee. He then went on to represent Granville County at the Nationals. He is hoping for a return trip this year.

For the District Bee, these students are studying 1,200 words from the Scripps Spelling Bee list. Each one has a chance to move on to the National Spelling Bee in May if they can out spell the others!