A federal inmate incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner was sentenced to 12 months in prison and an additional two-year term of supervised release for possession of the opiate buprenorphine, a Schedule III narcotic commonly referred to by the brand name Suboxone.
The 12-month term of imprisonment is in addition to, and consecutive to, his current term of imprisonment, and the two-year term of supervised release is in addition to and consecutive to his 3-year term of supervised release on his current sentence.
According to court documents, while Aaron Trujillo, 57, was serving a federal sentence for multiple bank robbery convictions, he was found in possession of multiple sublingual film strips containing buprenorphine. The Bureau of Prisons’ investigation also revealed a large cache of stamps and a debt ledger suggesting that he was involved in the sale and distribution of buprenorphine for several months.
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Agents investigated the case and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Bredenberg prosecuted the case.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/U.S.-Department-of-Justice.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-05-21 11:46:382020-05-21 11:46:38Butner Inmate Sentenced for Possession of Narcotics at Federal Prison
-Information courtesy the Vance County Sheriff’s Office
The Vance County Sheriff’s Office would like to make the public aware of some recent trends that the agency has noticed.
From May 4, 2020, to the present, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office has received approximately nine incident reports that relate to Identity Fraud/Theft, Credit Card Fraud, Obtaining Property by False Pretense and Forgery. It appears that most of the investigations have some international ties to different countries.
The public should be mindful that if you receive a request from an unknown person or persons asking you to buy gas cards or supply them with your Social Security Card, banking information or purchasing animals through Paypal, you could be getting scammed.
We want to encourage the members of our community to be mindful of their financial transactions and ask that you do not provide personal information over the phone.
If you have any questions, please contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at (252) 738–2200.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsresize_0000s_0081_vancesheriff.png.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-05-21 08:33:372020-05-21 08:33:37Vance Co. Sheriff’s Office Warns Public of Increase in Scam Calls
Husband and wife team Tommy and Jo Ellen Nowell, along with son Matt, all heavily involved with the Henderson Rec Players and McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.
The Nowells spoke about the Henderson Rec Players’ recent decision to cancel its 2020 summer season – the first break since its conception in 1972 – while also remembering the good times of the past and looking ahead to the future.
Jo Ellen, director of the Henderson Rec Players for 19 years, explained that canceling this year’s season was actually a perfect storm that included issues with obtaining performance rights and paying required royalties, along with complications from the coronavirus pandemic.
“Several of the rental houses in New York were going through a merger when we attempted to get rights to the productions in the winter. We were told they were tied up with the merger and requests were on the backburner,” said Jo Ellen. “When the virus struck, rental houses were busy with cancelations and transfers and requests continued to be on the backburner.”
Between issues with obtaining rights and restrictions on physically congregating for auditions, rehearsals and performances thanks to COVID-19, Jo Ellen lamented, “put all these things together and that’s why we had to make the decision to postpone.”
Since planning began for the 2020 season in the winter of 2019, and requests for production rights had already been made, Jo Ellen is hopeful that the Henderson Rec Players are now ahead of the game for the 2021 summer season.
Discussing the history of the Rec Players, Tommy, the former technical director and still an integral part of each production, said he has been involved with the group for 48 years. In talking “Henderson Rec Players All-Stars,” Tommy said he had to start with Chuck Grubbs, then the head of the Vance County Recreation and Parks Department, and Dwight Pearce, a now-retired local English and drama teacher and former mayor of Norlina.
“Chuck had the concept that recreation is more than a bat and a ball; recreation includes theatre and the arts,” said Tommy. “He and Dwight put their heads together and came up with the concept of the Rec Players.”
For all but the last few years, Rec Players’ performances were held in the E.M. Rollins Elementary School auditorium. That changed when McGregor Hall opened its doors with a state-of-the-art, 1,000-seat theatre in 2016.
The Henderson Rec Players, previously under the jurisdiction of the City and County via the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department, was incorporated as part of McGregor Hall last year. Matt Nowell, technical director for McGregor Hall, explained that it was “always part of the plan” for the Rec Players to eventually fall under the umbrella of the performing arts center.
Jo Ellen said this change has allowed for more space and an even greater inclusivity for all those interested in theatre. “We are inclusive is so many ways and are one of the few programs open to all ages. It’s great for children to see other children, teenagers and adults all working together and learning from each other. We work with all cultures and all abilities. We do not turn anybody away, ever.”
The Nowells are proud of the fact that many involved in the Rec Players have made theatre or the arts their profession. “So many of the people who have worked with the Henderson Rec Players in the past have gone on from this area to have professional careers. One of the best examples is Bobby Funk who is now a drama professor at East Tennessee State University. Another alumnus is the technical director of the Miami City Ballet,” Jo Ellen said.
With a lengthy hiatus looming, Tommy said he hopes people will reflect on what local theatre has meant to the community.
“I’m hoping people will take this time to realize what they are missing by not having us. There’s an old adage: ‘How can I miss you if you won’t go away?’ Perhaps people will realize that this is a pretty unique thing we have going on here, and the support of the community is absolutely essential.”
The Nowells are humbled by the response they have received from the community since their cancellation announcement and have been touched by those who have reached out in support and gratitude for their time with the group.
“The Henderson Rec Players is a family,” Tommy said. “In a 40 to 50 year period of time, people come in and people go out, but you’re always part of the family.”
Matt echoed that sentiment, “Our mission has always been to entertain the community, but it has also been to provide a place for people who may not feel that they have a place anywhere else.”
To hear the interview with the Nowells in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Henderson-Rec-Players.png265504Kelly Bonduranthttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngKelly Bondurant2020-05-20 16:56:592020-05-20 16:56:59Town Talk 05/20/20: Henderson Rec Players ‘Family’ Will Pull Through Difficult Year
NC MedAssist is holding a Mobile Free Pharmacy Event in Granville County, NC on Friday, June 19, 2020. The event, which is in collaboration with Triangle North Healthcare Foundation, is open to any individual or family needing over-the-counter medications.
The event will be held from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Granville County Expo & Convention Center located at 4185 US-15 South, Oxford, NC. Participants must be at least 18 years old to receive medication. No identification is required.
Unlike previous Mobile Free Pharmacy events, this one will be held as a drive-thru service only. Participants are highly encouraged to order their over-the-counter medicine online at https://bit.ly/Granville (click here).
“We have completely revamped our Giveaway Day in order to keep our participants, volunteers, and staff as safe as possible,” said Misty Moore, Senior Development Director at NC MedAssist. “We came together with Triangle North Healthcare Foundation and identified such a need in the community. With so many restrictions in place, we had to take a look at how we can still provide this service while keeping everyone safe and healthy.”
The Mobile Free Pharmacy events have served upwards of 800 people, at times. In order to comply with local recommended guidelines, all participants will remain in their vehicles while volunteers retrieve their medicine. For those individuals unable to register online, volunteers will be available to complete registration forms for each person, limiting touchpoints.
“Triangle North Healthcare Foundation is pleased to partner with NC MedAssist on the Mobile Free Pharmacy event,” said Foundation Director Val Short. “The event is expected to have a huge impact on the community, especially during such difficult times. Triangle North Healthcare Foundation values the work of NC MedAssist in our communities on behalf of those who are vulnerable and don’t have access to healthcare. We hope to educate participants on the healthcare resources available in Granville and surrounding counties.”
At the event, information will also be available about enrolling in the NC MedAssist Free Pharmacy Program, which mails free prescription medications directly to a patient’s home. NC MedAssist’s overall goal is to help ease the burden for those in need; it is aiding people who are making the choice between buying food and purchasing life-saving medication. Over the last fiscal year, NC MedAssist distributed over $63 million in free prescription and over-the-counter medication statewide. Of course, this would not be possible without the numerous, dedicated volunteers.
NC MedAssist is a statewide non-profit pharmacy, founded in 1997. The organization provides free prescription medication to low-income, uninsured North Carolinians. NC MedAssist offers three programs that address the needs of children and adults: the Free Pharmacy Program, the Mobile Free Pharmacy Program, and the Transitional Job Program.
Learn more about NC MedAssist right now at www.medassist.org. You can also visit their Facebook and Twitter pages, or contact them to find out how you can help.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/NC-MedAssist-Logo.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-05-20 12:09:312020-05-20 12:10:16NC MedAssist to Hold Free Granville Drive-Thru Pharmacy Event
A virtual pinning ceremony was held using Zoom on Thursday, May 14, 2020, at 6 p.m., for the Vance-Granville Community College Associate Degree Nursing Class of 2020.
The family and friends of the 43 graduates were sent a link to the Zoom session so that they could watch the pinning ceremony, which opened with welcoming reflections from Dr. Levy Brown, VGCC Vice President of Learning, Student Engagement & Success/Chief Academic Officer; Dr. Anna Seaman, VGCC Associate Degree Nursing Program Head; and Henrry Rebollar-Miguel, class president.
Dr. Seaman noted that 2020 is the ‘Year of the Nurse’ and that no one could have imagined what this year would actually mean for Nursing. She noted that these graduates would soon put on their ‘superhero costumes’ and enter into the workforce.
Jamie Davis, VGCC Nursing instructor, presented cords to students who participated in the VGCC Student Nurses Association, which is a chapter of the National Student Nurses Association.
Maggie King-Harris, VGCC Nursing instructor, recognized those students graduating with honors (a GPA of 3.5 or higher). Those recognized include Reuben Aluoch; Jessica Baker; Susan Carr; Michelle Harris-Evans; and Stephanie Parham. Raine Tucker-Smith was recognized as the graduate with the highest GPA in the class.
Brande McILroy shared the story of the VGCC Nursing Pin and graduates were then ‘handed’ their pin virtually by Dr. Seaman. As each graduate received their pin, they shared where they planned to work; their plans for continuing their education; and their appreciation to family, friends and faculty for their support during their time in school.
After receiving their pins, the graduates recited the Nursing Pledge (written by Beverly Hansen O’Malley, RN) with Vanessa Ramseur, VGCC Nursing Instructor. Ugur Celimli, VGCC Nursing Instructor, presented the class as official graduates of the Associate Degree Nursing Class of 2020.
Even though the ceremony was not able to be held on the VGCC campus, as traditionally done, the graduates remarked that it was still a meaningful and memorable way to mark the end of their nursing school journey at VGCC.
The graduates are:
From Henderson: Bridget Eaton, Cassidy Ivey, Cayla Ranes
From Oxford: Tammie Davis, Taneisha Jordan, Erica Thorpe, Hannah Tuck
From Creedmoor: Eunice Ayaa, Caliegh Katz
From Louisburg: Brittany Sullivan, Shanika Upchurch
From Rolesville: Raine Tucker-Smith
From Zebulon: Joshua Miller
From Raleigh: Aniekan Akpan, Reuben Aluoch, Elizabeth Kenney, Dennis Mutisya, Andrew Zambrano
From Durham: Charles Ngeve, Annah Ongeri, Abigail Rodriguez, Solange Tant, Hser Tha
From Franklinton: Henrry Reboccar-Miguel
From Holly Springs: Irene Solomon
From Apex: Rebekah Speed
From Wake Forest: Jessica Baker, Christopher Ellis, Anne Onsomu
From Macon: Tracey Brown
From Bullock: Brittany Buchanan
From Rougemont: Susan Carr, Branice Chogo, Cherrie Satterfield
From Hollister: Tiara Daniel
From Youngsville: Patrisha Ferrick, Michelle Harris-Evans, Sheniqua Pruden, Wyverta Rawls
From Kittrell: Diedre Joyner, Stephanie Parham, Rachel Spall
From Norlina: Chiatyra Turner
In lieu of the class picture that is normally taken before the ceremony, graduates were asked to submit personal photos to be used in making a class collage that will be posted on the VGCC website.
Pictured from left: Reuben Aluoch; Eunice Ayaa; Jessica Baker; Tracey Brown; Brittany Buchanan; Susan Carr; Branice Chogo; Tiara Daniel; Tammie Davis; Bridget Eaton; Christopher Ellis; Michelle Harris-Evans; Patrisha Ferrick; Cassidy Ivey; Taneisha Jordan; Deidre Joyner; Caliegh Katz; Elizabeth Kenney; Shanika UpChurch-McBride and Henrry Rebollar-Miguel.
Pictured from left: Charles Ngeve; Annah Ongeri; Anne Onsomu; Stephanie Parham; Sheniqua Pruden; Cayla Raynes; Wyverta Rawls; Abigail Rodreguiz; Cherrie Satterfield; Raine Tucker-Smith; Irene Solomon; Rebekah Speed; Solange Tant; Hser Tha; Erica Thorpe; Hannah Tuck; Chiatrya Turner and Andrew Zambrano.
Not Pictured in either collage — Aniekan Akpan, Jr.; Joshua Miller; Dennis Mutisya; Rachel Spall, and Brittany Sullivan.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/VGCC-ADN-Pinning.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-05-20 11:13:482020-05-20 11:16:42Vance-Granville Community College Holds Virtual ADN Pinning Ceremony
In a followup to his discussion on WIZS Town Talk last week, Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen reported that the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Vance County proposed budget does include a three percent cost of living adjustment.
The $49,268,824 proposed budget was presented to the Vance County Board of Commissioners at their May meeting and includes four major recurring items that increase the budget expenditures by more than $100,000 each. These items include a cost of living adjustment for County employees, a state-mandated increase in retirement costs for employees, new departmental positions/overtime increases and increases in jail healthcare to change medical providers.
The cost of living adjustment totals $522,120 and is deemed necessary as the County’s starting and current salaries are falling behind inflation and beginning to fall behind neighboring jurisdictions, according to McMillen. “A cost of living adjustment not only moves employees’ salaries up, but it also moves the entire salary schedule upward adjusting starting salaries by the same percentage. Although human resources recommends we implement a five percent cost of living adjustment for the upcoming year, we were only able to include three percent due to lack of revenue growth,” McMillen explained.
McMillen said it would be advisable to revisit revenues in the early part of 2021 to see if further adjustments can be made to the salary schedule mid-year. The last cost of living adjustment given to County employees was one-and-half percent in January 2017, and, since that time, inflation has increased over six percent.
Additionally, McMillen stated that Granville, Franklin, and Warren counties are currently undertaking a salary plan which will cause Vance County’s salaries to fall even further behind.
A public hearing to receive citizens’ comments on the proposed budget will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 1. To adhere to current social distancing guidelines, the public is asked to email comments regarding the budget to Vance County Clerk Kelly Grissom at KGrissom@vancecounty.org prior to the hearing or up to 24 hours after the hearing.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Vance-County-Logo.png265504Kelly Bonduranthttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngKelly Bondurant2020-05-20 10:44:232020-05-20 10:44:23Vance Co. Proposed FY 2020-21 Budget Includes Cost of Living Adjustment
Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon and Mayor Eddie Ellington appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.
Blackmon discussed the $18,992,950 proposed Fiscal Year 2020-2021 City of Henderson Budget as presented to the Henderson City Council at the May 18, 2020, meeting.
The recommended budget for the new fiscal year to begin July 1 is an increase of 7% over the current year’s budget.
A public hearing to receive citizens’ comments on the proposed budget will be held on Tuesday, May 26 at 6 p.m.
Presenting his first budget as Henderson City Manager, Blackmon, who took over the position from retired manager Frank Frazier earlier this year, said this year’s budget was “unique” as considerations were made around COVID-19.
According to Blackmon, city residents may be pleased to hear that the proposed budget does not recommend tax increases or water/sewer fee increases for the new fiscal year.
“The Council and I were very impressed and thankful that they were able to put together a budget with no tax or fee increases while still maintaining the same level of services,” Ellington responded.
The proposed budget also includes an appropriation of $1,500,000 to the City’s Fund Balance, an increase from the $1,066,720 that was approved for the current fiscal year. Blackmon said the City’s fund balance remains well above the minimum requirements as set by the Local Government Commission.
“For the last four or five years, in order to balance our budget, we’ve had to utilize some of our fund balance. Because there isn’t a recommended tax or fee increase this year, we are budgeting a little more fund balance,” explained Blackmon.
Despite initial concerns on the effect COVID-19 would have on sales tax, Blackmon said the City is doing well on that front. “Much to our surprise, we’re actually trending slightly ahead of last year. There was a lot of shopping going on during the months of March and April, so we didn’t see a decline in our sales tax.”
While Blackmon said the new fiscal year’s budget remains “relatively flat,” some increases are expected in electric utilities and employee health insurance costs.
Addressing the on-going mission to reduce the number of job vacancies and employee turnover, Blackmon reported that less than 10 percent of the City’s positions are currently vacant.
The proposed FY 2020-2021 budget is available for viewing in its entirety on the City of Henderson’s website, under the Finance Department tab (click here).
To hear the interview with Blackmon and Ellington in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0067_hendersonlogo.png.png265504Kelly Bonduranthttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngKelly Bondurant2020-05-19 16:47:292020-05-19 16:47:29Town Talk 05/19/20: Henderson Manager, Mayor Address Proposed City Budget
Erica Jastrow, Vance-Granville Community College’s department chair of Nursing, received a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Higher Education Leadership from Arizona-based Grand Canyon University. Jastrow is a resident of Oxford.
Erica Jastrow, VGCC’s department chair of Nursing, received a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Higher Education Leadership from Arizona-based Grand Canyon University. (Photo courtesy VGCC)
“We congratulate Dr. Jastrow on this milestone in her life, and we applaud Erica’s commitment to professional development,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, VGCC’s president. “Erica’s education will allow her to continue to grow as a leader in higher education and provide services that help our students.”
Jastrow has taught at VGCC since 2004 and became head of the Nursing department in 2011. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Lenoir-Rhyne University and later completed a master’s degree in Nursing Education at UNC-Greensboro. As a longtime Registered Nurse, Jastrow has experience in Intensive Care Units and Nursing Supervision in local and teaching hospitals.
In 2013, Jastrow became a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) through the National League for Nursing (NLN). She was one of the first three VGCC Nursing faculty to become certified through this program.
In 2014, she completed the Department Chairs Institute offered by the N.C. Community College System, in collaboration with N.C. State University. Jastrow is a past recipient of the VGCC President’s Leadership Award.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is taking further action to prevent and respond to COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities. All long-term care facilities in the state will receive personal protective equipment (PPE) packs of needed supplies, and facilities will receive a limited increased rate for some Medicaid services to support infection prevention and management.
“We have a team dedicated to supporting our long-term care facilities as they protect our aging family members and loved ones who require round-the-clock care and the staff who care for them,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D. “We want to help them do all that they can because once an outbreak occurs in a congregate living setting, it can be difficult to prevent the spread of the virus.”
PPE packs will go to more than 3,000 state-licensed long-term care facilities and include a fourteen-day supply of face shields, procedure masks, gloves and shoe covers. Adult care homes, family care homes, nursing homes, intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and mental health facilities will receive supplies. NCDHHS is partnering with North Carolina Emergency Management and the National Guard to deliver the packs at local distribution centers.
In addition to the PPE distribution, NCDHHS is providing a time-limited Medicaid rate increase for nursing facility services such as skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. The increase is intended to support strengthening infection prevention and management capacities with technical support from NCDHHS. The increase will also apply to personal care assistance and home health services to help providers who support people being able to stay at home where there is less risk of exposure.
NCDHHS also released updated testing guidance to clinicians that recommends testing people who live in or have regular contact with high-risk settings such as long-term care facilities.
These actions build on earlier measures North Carolina has taken to protect residents and staff in long-term facilities. Previous actions include:
Issuing Executive Order 130, which codified public health and safety requirements for nursing homes, including requiring staff to wear surgical masks, screenings for all staff and residents for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 daily and closing communal areas.
Conducting remote infection prevention and control consultation with skilled nursing and other long-term facilities across the state through a partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the North Carolina Statewide Program for Infection Control and Epidemiology.
Providing targeted funding to support nursing homes and adult care homes to provide the more intensive care needed for residents with COVID-19 and limit the spread of the virus to other residents and staff.
Providing a toolkit to support long-term care facilities in preparing for and responding to COVID-19 outbreaks in their facility. The toolkit contains an infection control assessment, infection staffing worksheet, infection prevention educational resources and other tools.
Helping to fill staffing shortages in long-term care facilities and other health care facilities through a partnership with East Carolina University School of Nursing to match Registered Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants with facilities, particularly long-term care facilities, that are seeking to urgently hire staff for temporary, part-time or full-time roles. Interested health care employees can register at nc.readyop.com/fs/4cjq/697b.
Implementing several temporary regulatory changes to assist providers in caring for their residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, including adopting an emergency rule granting reciprocity to nurse aides certified in other states to work as nurse aides in North Carolina, and allowing facilities to exceed the number of licensed beds if needed to provide temporary shelter and services to adequately care for residents with COVID-19.
Providing virtual training for more than 2,000 staff working in long-term care sites. Trainings are available online at www.ncahec.net/covid-19/webinars.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/NC-Dept.-of-Health-and-Human-Services-Logo.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-05-19 10:42:392020-05-19 10:42:39Measures Expanded to Prevent, Respond to COVID-19 in Long-term Care Facilities
