William Ryan Brown

Franklin Co. Sheriff’s Office Arrests Youngsville Man on Multiple Drug Charges

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-Information courtesy Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group arrested Franklin County resident William Ryan Brown on June 22, 2020, on a variety of drug charges.

The investigation began when the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit received information and complaints from multiple sources alleging that Mr. Brown was involved in illegal drug activity in and around Franklin County. During the investigation, probable cause was established and a search warrant was executed at Mr. Brown’s residence, located at 102 Bridle Trail, Youngsville, NC.

As a result of the search warrant, 822 bindles of heroin, 33 grams of Methamphetamine, multiple firearms, various pills and drug paraphernalia were seized. The street value of the heroin seized is estimated to be $20,550 and the street value of the Methamphetamine seized is estimated to be $9,600.

Mr. Brown was charged with Trafficking Heroin by Possession, Trafficking Methamphetamine by Possession, Possess With Intent to Sell and Deliver Heroin, Sell Heroin, Possess With Intent to Sell and Deliver a Schedule III Controlled Substance, Possess With Intent to Sell and Deliver a Schedule IV Controlled Substance, Possession of THC Isolates and Maintaining a Dwelling for the Purpose of Storing Controlled Substances.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group was assisted in this investigation by US Marshals and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Sheriff Kent Winstead stated, “These investigations are vital to disrupting illegal drug trafficking in our county. We are appreciative of the cooperation with our federal partners and the information provided by our citizens that aided us in this investigation.”

Mr. Brown is currently being held in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $300,000 secured bond.

William Ryan Brown (32)
102 Bridle Trail, Youngsville, NC
Youngsville, NC 27596

If you have information regarding this case or if you would like to report drug activity in your community, please contact Sgt. Ken Pike at (919) 496-2186.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Local COVID-19 Update: Increase in Total Cases, Related Deaths

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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health and the Warren County Health Department

As of June 24, 2020, there are 773 known COVID-19 cases in Granville County, 483 cases in Vance County, 155 cases in Warren County and 56,174 confirmed cases in North Carolina.

Granville County:

There are three outbreaks at congregate living facilities in Granville County: Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, NC, Murdoch Development Center in Butner, NC, and Central Regional Hospital in Butner, NC.

Of the cases in Granville County, 402 are associated with the prisons, five are associated with Murdoch, and two are associated with Central Regional Hospital.

Of the 402 cases in the prison system, 89 have been released from isolation and two individuals with Murdoch have been released from isolation.

Of the 364 community-based cases in Granville County, 196 have been released from isolation and four are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 19 deaths in Granville County, 17 of whom were with the Bureau of Prisons and one with Central Regional Hospital.

Vance County:

There are two active outbreaks at congregate living facilities in Vance County: Kerr Lake Nursing Home in Henderson, NC, and Senior Citizens Home in Henderson, NC.

There was also an outbreak at Pelican Health in Henderson, NC that is no longer active.

Of the cases in Vance County, 111 are associated with outbreaks at congregate living facilities including 43 cases associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home and 10 associated with Senior Citizens Home.

Of the 111 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 42 have been released from isolation.

Of the 372 community-based cases in Vance County, 171 have been released from isolation.

Ten individuals in Vance County are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 36 deaths in Vance County, 14 of whom were associated with Pelican Health and 10 of whom were associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home.

Warren County:

There are 155 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases with no known results currently pending. Of the known positive cases, 127 are considered recovered.

One individual in Warren County is hospitalized.

There have been a total of five deaths in Warren County.

Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina DHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen announced on Wednesday that North Carolina will remain in Safer at Home Phase 2 for at least three more weeks – until July 17, 2020.

Governor Cooper also announced that face coverings must be worn when people are in public places as officials seek to stabilize concerning trends of increasing viral spread. Growing evidence shows that cloth face coverings, when worn consistently, can decrease the spread of COVID-19, especially among people who are not yet showing symptoms of the virus.

For more information about the extension of Phase 2 and these new measures, see the NC Staying Ahead of the Curve web page (click here)

GVPH updates its website daily at approximately 5 p.m. with Vance and Granville COVID-19 statistics. Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information.

GVPH also emails updates about COVID-19 in Granville and Vance counties each evening. You can sign up to receive these emails at www.gvph.org/covid-19.

NC Governor Logo

NC Extends Safer at Home Phase 2, Adds Statewide Requirement for Face Coverings

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-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper

Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen today announced that North Carolina will remain in Safer at Home Phase 2 for three more weeks. Cooper also announced that face coverings must be worn when people are in public places as officials seek to stabilize concerning trends of increasing viral spread.

Cooper and Cohen were joined by Dennis Taylor, President of the North Carolina Nurses Association and Eugene A. Woods, President and CEO of Atrium Health.

“North Carolina is relying on the data and the science to lift restrictions responsibly, and right now our increasing numbers show we need to hit the pause button while we work to stabilize our trends,” said Governor Cooper. “We need to all work together so we can protect our families and neighbors, restore our economy, and get people back to work and our children back to school.”

“I know North Carolinians are strong, resilient and care deeply about our communities. We pride ourselves on helping our neighbors. The best way we can do that now is by taking the simple action of wearing a face covering that covers your nose and mouth. If we each do our part, we can get back to the people and places we love,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen, NCDHHS Secretary.

Growing evidence shows that cloth face coverings, when worn consistently, can decrease the spread of COVID-19, especially among people who are not yet showing symptoms of the virus. Until now, face coverings had been strongly recommended. Under today’s executive order, people must wear face coverings when in public places where physical distancing is not possible.

In addition, certain businesses must have employees and customers wear face coverings, including retail businesses, restaurants, personal care and grooming; employees of child care centers and camps; state government agencies under the Governor’s Cabinet; workers and riders of transportation; and workers in construction/trades, manufacturing, agriculture, meat processing and healthcare and long-term care settings.

“Wearing a face covering is an easy thing to do that can make a huge impact for all of us. A major spike in cases would be catastrophic to the system, and without your cooperation, nurses and our fellow healthcare providers will have a harder time caring for sick patients for weeks and months to come,” said Dennis Taylor, a nurse, and President of the North Carolina Nurses Association.

“As the leader of the state’s largest health system, I am pro-health and also 100 percent pro-business. In fact, the two are inextricably connected and I’m very proud of the way business leaders and health experts are working together to keep our economy strong,” said Eugene A. Woods, President and CEO of Atrium Health. “Medical science says to reduce the spread of COVID-19 masking works, and my sincere hope is that all the people of North Carolina can join forces to make wearing a mask not something we feel we have to do – but something that we want to do to keep each other, our neighbors, our children and our loved ones healthy and safe”

Based on the metrics laid out in April by Governor Cooper and Secretary Cohen, North Carolina is evaluating a combination of the data from the following categories that shows the indicators moving in the wrong direction, causing officials to implement today’s pause in Phase 2.

Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness (CLI) Surveillance Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness is increasing.

Trajectory of Lab-Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory of lab-confirmed cases starting to level, but is still increasing.

Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory in percent of tests returning positive remains elevated.

Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory of hospitalizations are increasing, though we have capacity in our healthcare system.

In addition to these metrics, the state continues building capacity to be able to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread. These areas include:

Laboratory Testing

  • North Carolina is averaging more than 17,000 tests a day for the past week and there are more than 500 sites listed online plus additional pop-up sites.
  • North Carolina labs and labs around the country are seeing supply shortages for laboratory chemicals needed to process tests.

Tracing Capability

  • There are over 1,500 full-time and part-time staff supporting contact tracing efforts at the local health department level, including the 309 Carolina Community Tracing Collaborative contact tracers. These new hires reflect the diversity of the communities they serve, and 44% are bilingual.

Personal Protective Equipment

  • Our personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies are stable.
Vance County NC

Town Talk 06/24/20: Tem Blackburn Discusses Historical Importance of Henderson Family

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

George Templeton “Tem” Blackburn II, local historian, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Blackburn discussed the important role Richard Henderson, a member of one of the first families to settle in the Henderson area, played in the expansion of the American West.

While officially chartered by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1841, the city, named in honor of former North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Leonard Henderson, son of Richard Henderson, was home to the Henderson family approximately one hundred years prior.

Unlike many areas of the country that experienced settlement from east to west, Blackburn explained the local area had a principal settlement pattern of north to south.

The Henderson family, including a young Richard, was the first among several planter families that relocated from the area near Richmond, VA in the 1740s, according to Blackburn. Other families, including the Bullocks and Williams, soon followed suit.

Richard Henderson, whose father Samuel was the first sheriff of Granville County, became a lawyer with an interest in opening the lands west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Blackburn said Richard Henderson, with ties to pioneer Daniel Boone, ultimately gained the approval of the Cherokee Nation for a settlement through the Cumberland Gap into what is now Kentucky and Northern Tennessee.

While no major battles were fought in NC during the American Revolutionary or Civil War, and no prominent generals originated from the state, Blackburn said the local connection to the westward expansion of the country is of great historical significance.

“Before the Revolution, there was the opening of the American West,” Blackburn stated. “Richard Henderson played a key role in that. That gives our area a claim to say we are connected with the most significant event in NC history, which is tied to the larger history of the nation.”

To hear the interview with Blackburn in its entirety, including other historical facts, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Home and Garden Show 06/23/20

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Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com on Tuesday at 4:30 PM.

Curbside Kids Book Bags

Granville Co. Libraries Offering Curbside Kids Book Bags

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-Information courtesy Granville County Government

Even though Granville County libraries are currently closed to the public, kids can still receive library books!

With just a bit of information about your child’s interests, a librarian can select a bag of books for pickup during the curbside hours of 10 a.m. through 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Request your books online at https://forms.gle/3fzHQTRpV276G77b9 or call (919) 693-1121 (Richard H. Thornton Library, Oxford) or (919) 528-1752 (South Branch, Creedmoor).

Vance County Logo

Vance County Water Committee to Discuss Capacity Fee Revision

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

Vance County’s Water Committee (Brummitt, Taylor, Wilder) is scheduled to meet Monday, June 29, 2020, at 3:30 p.m. to discuss a capacity fee revision.

The meeting will be held in the Commissioners’ Conference Room, 122 Young Street in Henderson.

Local News Audio

WIZS Local News 06/24/20 Noon

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WIZS – Your Community Voice

Local News on 1450 AM / 100.1 FM; Weekdays 8am, 12 Noon, 5pm

  • Covid-19 Numbers
  • Free Covid Testing at Shiloh Baptist Church
  • Smart Start
  • Reach Out and Read
  • Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

 

Mt. Zion Food Distribution

Free Community Food Distribution at Mt. Zion United Church of Christ

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Mt. Zion United Church of Christ, 911 Morgan Road in Henderson, will be the site of a FREE food distribution drive-thru on Friday, June 26, 2020, at 11 a.m.

Food is available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

For the safety of everyone involved and to adhere to current social distancing guidelines, everyone should stay inside their vehicle and open their trunk to receive the food.

This event is sponsored by Gang Free, Inc., Helping All People Excel (H.A.P.E.) and Williamsboro/Townsville area churches.

Franklin County Logo

Franklin County Offers New Fraud Detection Alert System

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-Press Release, Franklin County Government

Franklin County’s Register of Deeds Office now offers a new system to help citizens better combat fraudulent activity. Register of Deeds Brandi S. Brinson recently introduced the Fraud Detection Notification service to alert citizens when documents are recorded in the office matching their names. 

Citizens can sign up for this free monitoring service in just moments with ease by providing your name, email address and up to five names you wish to monitor for document filings.

Once registration is complete, the system will send alerts via email when any documents, such as powers of attorney or deeds, are filed with the Register of Deeds Office. In order to register for this free service, visit www.franklincountync.us/services/register-of-deeds and click on “Fraud Detection Notification.” 

For more information about the Fraud Detection Notification system, contact Brandi S. Brinson at (919) 496-3500.