John Williams Mug Shot

Suspect in Shooting of Female While on Release for Homicide Located, Arrested

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-Information courtesy the Henderson Police Department

Today, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office located and arrested John Williams without incident on outstanding warrants from their office, along with outstanding warrants from the Henderson Police Department.

On Friday, September 25, 2020, officers of the Henderson Police Department responded to the 200 block of Chavasse Avenue after receiving a call of a person being shot. When they arrived, they located Tracey L. Person (51) suffering from a single gunshot wound to the upper torso.

Person was transported to an area medical facility for treatment of her injuries.

She and a male friend had been walking in the area when a dark-colored vehicle pulled alongside them and an occupant fired a weapon. As a result of HPD’s investigation, it is believed the male walking with Person was the intended target of the assault.

Through the assistance of the public, the shooter was identified as John Williams, age 37, of Vance County.

Williams was on pre-trial release for a homicide that occurred in Vance County.

Williams is now in the Vance County Jail without bond due to these charges and his previous pretrial release conditions.

Tommy Hester

Town Talk 10/6/20: Tommy Hester, NC Senate District 3 Republican Candidate

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Thomas “Tommy” Hester, Jr., the Republican candidate for the District 3 NC Senate seat, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Hester, of Vance County, will face Democratic candidate and Bertie County resident Ernestine Bazemore for the seat that represents Beaufort, Bertie, Martin, Northampton, Vance and Warren County. Current District 3 Senator Erica Smith-Ingram is running for US Senate and will not seek re-election to the state senate.

Graduating from Campbell University in 1971, Hester returned to Henderson where he worked at Carolina Cooling & Heating and was later promoted to president of the company.

Hester also graduated from Officer Candidate School (O.C.S.), becoming platoon leader with the 878 Engineering Company for three years.

He currently owns Prim Residential Rentals where he develops residential and commercial property in Vance County.

Community achievements, past and present, include:

  • Chair of the Vance County Board of Commissioners
  • Chair of the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority Board
  • Golden LEAF Board Member
  • Chair of the Economic Development Commission
  • Chair of the Henderson Heart Fund Drive
  • Committee Chair of the Henderson Cancer Drive
  • Supporter of the Vance County Relay for Life
  • Chair of the United Way Campaign
  • Member of the United Way’s Board of Directors
  • Advocate for the construction of the Perry Memorial Library and Embassy Cultural Center Foundation
  • President of the Henderson Rotary Club – named Rotarian of the Year in 2002
  • District Chair of the Henderson-Vance Boy Scouts of America Fundraiser
  • President of the Henderson RBC Centura Bank Board of Advisors and Trustees
  • Board Director of the Vance County Public School Foundation
  • Awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2016
  • Named the 2017 Citizen of the Year by the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce

Hester provided the following responses, in part, to questions asked during the Town Talk segment:

Why is now the right time for you to seek the NC Senate seat?

 “I’ve spent 15 years as a County Commissioner. I’ve tried to help with jobs and economic development in Vance County, and I see an opportunity, with no incumbent, to run for this office to do more for Vance County and the other five counties.”

How will your voice represent the needs and wants of the six counties in District 3?

 “I have worked tirelessly on the Golden LEAF Board and the Rural Infrastructure Authority in Raleigh to bring jobs and education into our area. I’d like to expand that into these other counties.

For example, Vance is the only county out of the six to come up with a program to offer broadband for $39.95 to all homes. Mako Medical Laboratories in Vance County now has over 500 employees. We’ve brought in Select Products who will manufacture toilet paper, napkins and paper towels.

I want to see more growth and bring in more tax revenue, not by raising the rate, but by raising the basis. If you expand the basis, you end up getting more revenue and you can keep the tax rate lower.”

What do you want to accomplish in the Senate?

 “I want to work with the Senate in Raleigh to bring as much of the taxpayer’s money from these counties back to these counties and help assist in getting jobs. Two things that go together more than anything else are jobs and education; you can’t put one before the other. When you create jobs, you create tax money and expand upon services such as fire protection, law enforcement, etc.”

How would you work with someone with different viewpoints or a different political party on issues such as Medicaid expansion?

 “I’m not interested in party; I’m interested in jobs and education. The time I’ve spent has been about trying to do what’s right for the community and trying to get the quality of life better for every citizen in that area. I would love to do that and work with whoever is in the House in the future.”

For additional information on Hester and his campaign, visit his Facebook page at Tommy Hester 4 NC Senate Dist. 3 (click here).

To hear the interview in its entirety, including additional questions and responses from Hester, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

(This is not a paid political advertisement. Political candidates are offered equal air time/coverage on WIZS.)

Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 10-06-20 – Composting

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Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 2 PM Monday – Thursday.

Local News Audio

Local Noon News 10/6/20

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Granville Vance Public Health’s Free Diabetes Program Begins Today

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame Discusses Passing of Former Sheriff Thomas Breedlove

VGCC is Offering Events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Click Play for Full Details and Local News Audio…

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Town Talk 10/05/20: VGCC Schedules Domestic Violence Awareness Events for Students, Community

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Cathy Davis, counselor/accessibility coordinator/Student Assistance Program coordinator/Title IX investigator, at Vance-Granville Community College, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

Davis was the first of several guests scheduled to join Town Talk in October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. “Domestic violence is on the rise, and this is another topic that we will not remain silent about,” she stated.

With a mixture of events for students and the general public, Davis said VGCC is committed to raising awareness and assist those experiencing abuse. “We are trying to keep the community in community college, and we are all about breaking down barriers to support.”

Upcoming VGCC Domestic Violence Awareness Events:

October 8 ~ 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Healthy Relationships Video Presentation Hosted by Safe Space (video via Zoom platform with a Q&A wrap session after the viewing)

October 15 ~ 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Drive-Thru Giveaway at Each of the Four VGCC Campuses

October 22 ~ Wear Purple and Post Encouraging Words of Support Via Hashtags

October 29 ~ 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – VGCC Website/Facebook Scavenger Hunt

Students will use the VGCC website or Facebook page to answer the following questions. The first four students to send answers to the scavenger hunt will receive a restaurant gift card. Please send the answers to Ruthie Davis at davisr@vgcc.edu.

  1. Who is VGCC’s counselor?
  2. What organization can be contacted in your county?
  3. Does that organization have a 24-hour hotline/crisis line, and if so, what is the number?
  4. List the VGCC activities for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
  5. Enter the date and time you completed the VGCC scavenger hunt.

In addition to events scheduled for October, VGCC offers a Student Assistance Program (SAP) to all students and their household members year-round for FREE!

The SAP offers help for personal, professional or school concerns by providing free, confidential, short-term counseling and personal consultation. Additionally, the SAP provides student-life resources for issues such as legal and financial consultation, online learning and resources.

For more information on SAP, please visit www.vgcc.edu/sap or call 1-800-633-3353.

For additional coverage on domestic violence awareness, please join WIZS live at 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com at 11 a.m. to hear discussions with the following scheduled guests:

Monday, October 12 – Infinite Possibilities, Inc.

Monday, October 19 – Families Living Violence Free

Thursday, October 22 – Debbie Scott with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office

To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

City of Henderson Logo

City of Henderson Issues Statement on Halloween Activities

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-Press Release, City of Henderson

COVID-19 has changed or influenced how we define our “normal” for 2020. As we enter the fall season and quickly approach Halloween, we should remain vigilant with our efforts to reduce the threat of COVID-19 in our community. The event of Halloween is known to bring an abundance of people into close contact, and many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses.

Due to the pandemic, this year the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services “strongly recommends” against traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating in favor of lower risk activities. Residents of Henderson are advised to consider NCDHHS’s Halloween event guidance when determining whether to participate in Halloween celebrations (https://files.nc.gov/covid/documents/guidance/NCDHHS-Interim-Guidance-for-Halloween.pdf).

There are several safer, alternative ways to participate in Halloween. Please be on the lookout for lowered risk alternatives within our community.

Celebrating virtually or with members of your own household poses a low risk for spreading the virus, while in-person gatherings pose varying levels of risk. When participating in any activity, participants should consider the risk of virus spread based upon the activity’s size and the host’s use of mitigation strategies. Remember the three W’s, Wear, Wait, and Wash.

Per the CDC, a costume mask (such as for Halloween) is not a substitute for a cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around the face. Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.

If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

GVPH COVID-19 Update as of 10/5/20

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

The following is an update for COVID-19 spread and response in Granville and Vance County as of October 5, 2020. Granville Vance Public Health numbers correlate with the NC Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NCEDSS) data.

The county case numbers reported on the NC county map from the NC Department of Health and Human Services may differ from the ones reported locally as they are updated at different times and may change once residence is verified.

Granville County

1,794 positive test results for COVID-19.

Of those 1,794, 1,132 are community-spread cases located across Granville County. Of those 1,132, 1,022 have been released from isolation.

Of those 1,794, 526 cases are affiliated with the prison system in Granville County and 494 of those 526 have been released from isolation.

Of those 1,794, 136 are associated with outbreaks at long-term care facilities including 30 at Murdoch Development Center, two at Central Regional Hospital, one at Brantwood Nursing and Rehab Center and 95 at Universal Health Care.

The outbreak at Granville House is no longer active. Of the 136 cases in long term care facilities in Granville County, 112 have been released from isolation.

11 individuals in Granville County are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 50 deaths in Granville County: five in the community, one associated with Central Regional Hospital, one associated with Murdoch Development Center, 21 associated with Universal Health Care and 22 associated with the Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Complex.

Vance County

1,051 positive test results for COVID-19.

Of those 1,051, 926 are community-spread cases located across Vance County. Of those 926, 804 have been released from isolation.

Of those 1,051, 125 are associated with outbreaks at congregate living facilities including 49 cases associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home.

The outbreaks at Alliance Rehabilitative Care, Senior Citizens Home and Pelican Health nursing home are no longer active.

Of the 125 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 96 have been released from isolation.

12 individuals in Vance County are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 45 deaths in Vance County: 14 associated with the Pelican Health nursing home outbreak, 12 associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, two associated with Senior Citizens Home and 17 in the community. Unfortunately, there has been another death in the community: a 72-year-old male passed away on October 3, 2020.

WIZS Note: There are 122 total known active cases in the Vance County community and 110 in the Granville County community at large at this time (excluding congregate living numbers). One additional COVID-19 related Vance County death and no additional Granville County deaths have been reported in the last seven days,.

Additional Information

The number of those who have been ‘released from isolation’ is determined by the CDC Guidance for discontinuation of isolation for persons with COVID-19.

Please visit GVPH’s COVID-19 Data Dashboard (click here) for tables and graphs that are updated daily.

Dr. Michael Myrick

Dr. Michael A. Myrick Receives State Leadership Award

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

On Friday, September 25, 2020, Jack Hoke, the executive director of the NC School Superintendents Association, presented Dr. Michael Myrick with the Dr. Sam Houston, Jr. Leadership Award.

This prestigious annual award is presented to graduates of the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association and the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development’s Aspiring Superintendent Program, a program that is designed to empower transformational education leaders for North Carolina’s public schools.

On Friday, September 25, 2020, Jack Hoke (right), the executive director of the NC School Superintendents Association, presented Dr. Michael Myrick (left) with the Dr. Sam Houston, Jr. Leadership Award. (Photo courtesy GCPS)

The award is named in honor of Dr. Samuel Houston who is president and chief executive officer of the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center. Dr. Houston served as superintendent of the Mooresville Graded School District for ten years where he opened the first year-round school in North Carolina.

Dr. Houston has been a champion for strategic planning, student performance and accountability, meeting the needs of the 21st-century workforce, skills for the STEM world and building education partnerships. Dr. Houston also served as the first executive director of the University of  North Carolina Center for Leadership Development.

Dr. Myrick has served the students of Granville County Public Schools as the assistant superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction and Student Services for the past seven years. He has also held numerous leadership positions at the district level and is a former high school and elementary school principal.

He began his career in education teaching high school English classes in Halifax County. He earned his BA from Elizabeth State University, and his Masters and Doctoral Degrees from Virginia State University. He is also the immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Oxford. He is married to his wife of 20 years, Florence, and has two children, Andrew and Jadyn, who both attend Granville County Public Schools.

Upon receiving this honor, he commented, “I was excited to be selected to participate in the Aspiring Superintendents Program, which is one of the premier professional development opportunities for senior-level administrators. Participation in the program was an honor, but I was humbled to be one of only four recipients selected to receive the 2020 Dr. Sam Houston Leadership Award. The distinction is one that I will cherish for years to come.”

Superintendent Dr. Alisa McLean also shared her remarks, saying, “Dr. Michael Myrick is deserving of this esteemed award.  Our district is extremely proud of him.”

Sheriff Thomas Breedlove

Vance Co. Sheriff Curtis Brame Reflects on Former Sheriff Thomas Breedlove

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Many in the community were saddened to hear the news that Robert Thomas Breedlove, sheriff of Vance County from 1990-2006, passed away on Sunday at the age of 86.

In a conversation with WIZS News, current Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame said he was saddened to hear of the passing of a man that he knew prior to their law enforcement days.

“I received a call from his son Tommy and daughter Lynne over the weekend,” said Brame. “I was shocked; I was hurt. He is going to be truly missed in this county.”

Sheriff Thomas Breedlove

From the WIZS’ Archive – L to R: Sheriff Thomas Breedlove, Tom Hannon of WIZS, Police Chief Glen Allen, John C. Rose in the early 2000s after a TownTalk episode.

Breedlove and Brame entered Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) together in 1983 and worked hand-in-hand until Breedlove’s retirement in 2006.

“He was an excellent sheriff, a people’s sheriff. He was all about rapport and bridge-building. People in this county loved him. He was just a great commander-in-chief, and as I understand it, a military man and good baseball player down in Middleburg in his younger years.”

Brame said he has fond memories of being invited to eat holiday dinners at Breedlove and wife Lib’s home as a young deputy. Elizabeth “Lib” Breedlove preceded her husband in death in 2016.

“We were always welcome in his home,” stated Brame. “That meant a lot to me being a young deputy – for the high sheriff to invite me into his home. I learned a lot from him. I take a lot of that, and I use it today. He will certainly be missed throughout the law enforcement community of Vance County.”

Thomas Breedlove

Robert Thomas Breedlove Sr., Former Vance County Sheriff, Dies at 86

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R. Thomas Breedlove, Sr. 

Robert Thomas Breedlove Sr., 86, of Henderson, NC died Sunday, October 4, 2020, at his home.

Born in Vance County, he was the son of the late Marvin Green Breedlove and Daisey Lowry Breedlove. He was the widower of Elizabeth Edwards Breedlove.

Mr. Breedlove was employed as a serviceman with the former Carolina Power & Light for sixteen years. He received his state electrical license in 1969. In 1977, he founded Breedlove Electric, Inc. In 1983, he became an Auxiliary Officer with the Vance County Sheriff’s Department until 1990.  

Robert Thomas Breedlove Sr., 86, of Henderson, NC died Sunday, October 4, 2020, at his home. (Photo courtesy Sossamon Funeral Home)

He was elected Sheriff of Vance County in 1990. He took office as sheriff on August 31, 1989, then he was re-elected in 1994, 1998 and again in 2002. 

Sheriff Breedlove was certified in Basic Law Enforcement Training, Police Science, Life Safety Issues for Jailers and School for Sheriff’s Deputies and Jailers.

He was awarded the Long Leaf Pine Award from then Gov. Mike Easley. 

Sheriff Breedlove received several special recognition awards including “Best Elected Official” in Vance County thirteen years by the readers of the Daily Dispatch; Special Recognition Award given by The Henderson-Vance Human Relation Commission in May of 2000; the Hero’s Award & Key Plaque to Camp E-ten Etu and the Community Partners of Hope Award.  

He was a member of Kiwanis International where he was past president, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and was a member of the American Legion where he was the Commander in 2004. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and a member of the First Baptist Church in Henderson.

His committees and memberships included Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers, Youth Opportunity Service Advisory Council, Drug and Crime Elimination Advisory Council, Criminal Intelligence Council, Emergency Management (Planning), Helping Hands, Governor’s Crime Commission, Kerr-Buggs Island Safety Council, Public Service Council, Criminal Justice Partnership Advisory Board, Law Enforcement Executive Council, Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Chamber of Commerce membership, Eckerd Wilderness Camp (Board Member), VWGV Criminal Justice Partnership Regional Advisory Board, 911 Advisory Board, Legislative Committee Member, (NC Sheriff’s Association) re-appointed in 2004-2005, Technical Review Committee (VC Planning Commission), Salvation Army Advisory Board, NC Sheriff’s Training and Standards Commission (appointed August 2003 and re-appointed in October of 2004), NC Sheriff’s Eastern-at-Large Representative in 2003, Criminal Justice Lay Advisory Committee (3-year term), Kiwanis Board of Directors, NCSA President’s Appointment (East), Criminal Justice/BLET Advisory Board.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, October 8, 2020, at 2 p.m. at South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church, conducted by the Rev. Frank Sossamon.

Surviving are one daughter, Lynne B. Pendergrass (David); one son, Robert Thomas “Tommy” Breedlove Jr. (Cynthia); one sister, Rachel Breedlove, one brother, Ralph Breedlove; one grandson, Robert Thomas “Tre” Breedlove (Lindsey); one great-grandson, Judson Breedlove; two step-granddaughters, Renee Faulkner and Stephanie Wright (Butch), two step-grandsons, David Pendergrass Jr. (Jennifer), Kenneth Pendergrass and a step-great granddaughter, Zoie Wilson.  

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Amy Elizabeth Breedlove; one sister, Peggy Dickerson and three brothers, Marvin Breedlove Jr., Glenn Breedlove and Ernest Breedlove.

The family will receive friends Thursday from 12:30-2 p.m. at South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church. All other times, they will be at his home.

Honorary pallbearers will be all present and former law enforcement officers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers – 901 Dorsey Ave., Henderson, NC 27536.

The family wishes to give a “Special Thank You” to his caregivers Jean M. Collins, Matthew Todd and Anna Davis.

We ask everyone who attends the visitation and memorial service to practice social distancing and wear an appropriate face covering.

Arrangements are by Sossamon Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.sossamonfuneralhome.com.