Two Local Men Get Prison Terms For Drugs, Weapons Charges

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-information courtesy of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina

Two Henderson men were sentenced in federal court Thursday for separate drugs and weapons-related charges.

Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after the sentences were handed down. Details of the cases were included in a press statement issued from Easley’s office Thursday.

Joseph Jones, Jr., also known as “Woo,” was sentenced in Raleigh to 180 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin and marijuana, and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. On Mar. 16, 2022, Jones pled guilty to the charges filed against him.

A second Henderson man, Jamey Owens, 51, was sentenced Thursday in Wilmington, N.C. to 72 months in prison for possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, in May 2020, Jones, 24, was identified as a heroin dealer in Henderson. The Henderson Police Department utilized a confidential informant to make controlled purchases of heroin from Jones. On Aug. 26, 2020, HPD responded to a call for service regarding a heroin overdose victim, who was stabilized with medical assistance. The victim reportedly purchased the heroin from Jones.

The same day, HPD conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Jones and found him to be in possession of heroin. A search warrant was executed at his residence where more than 1,000 doses of heroin and more than 11 grams of marijuana were found, along with two loaded firearms including a Glock 21 .45 caliber pistol and a Diamondback AM2 9mm pistol. Some of the heroin was bound into “bricks” comprising 50 dosage units and carried stamps such as “Devil’s Reject,” “Maestro,” “Shell,” “Uranas,” “Takeback,” and “Natural Flavor.”

Jones has a lengthy criminal history, including possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver a Schedule I controlled substance, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, and conspiracy to sell or deliver heroin.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Henderson Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Dodson prosecuted the Jones case.

According to court records and statements made during hearings in the Owens case, Henderson police conducted a controlled buy of cocaine from Owens on Jan. 13, 2019 at his home on State Street. Based on the controlled buy, officers obtained a search warrant for the residence, which they executed on January 15, 2019.

Owens was present with his girlfriend. Near a couch where Owens had been sleeping, officers found two handguns. In his bedroom, they found a third pistol, and in a second bedroom they recovered a shotgun. Officers found drugs stashed throughout the house, including cocaine, heroin, suspected ecstasy tablets, and marijuana. They also found four digital scales; ink stamps labeled with “BLACK CEASAR” and green glassine bags, both commonly used to package heroin; two glass Pyrex dishes with a white powdery substance; and over $3000 in cash.

The Henderson Police Department and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake D. Pugh prosecuted the case.

SportsTalk: Elliott Prepares For First Season As VCHS Football Coach

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Aaron Elliott, the new head football coach for Vance County High School, has had a few days to watch his players during workouts this week. And he’s pretty impressed with what he sees so far, he said on Thursday’s Sports Talk.

Elliott joined Bill Harris, Doc Ayscue and George Hoyle and said he liked the level of leadership the players have shown so far. And he hopes that as the summer continues, the numbers of young people interested in wearing the Vipers uniform will grow.

“My biggest challenge so far has been numbers,” Elliott said. And in between workouts, watching last season’s film and meeting with his coaching staff, Elliott has been spending a lot of time fielding calls from student athletes about possibly returning to the team. He also said he’d heard from almost 20 rising 9th graders who are thinking about playing.

Whether he’s talking to players, prospective players, their parents or his staff, Elliott has spoken consistently about, well, consistency.

“I’m trying to incorporate and bring a philosophy of being consistent,” he said, “gaining trust of players and (others)…that I’m here to stay.”

This is Elliott’s first head coaching job, but he previously had been an assistant with Nash Central High School, and at Louisburg High before that.

He draws from his experience as a line coach to work with others on his staff, some of whom are returning for the upcoming season. “I will be the offensive coordinator and calling the plays,” Elliott said, but added that he would offer additional help wherever it was needed.

The offensive line will be a little young because of several seniors graduating, but the defensive line only lost one player to graduation, and there are several athletes that are at the ready to fill that position. “We should be fairly good defensively,” he said.Without giving away too much from the playbook, Elliott said he plans to run a spread offense with some run-pass options. It’ll be senior QB Nazir Garrett’s responsibility to make good reads, he noted, and to make good decisions about what to do with the football.

And he plans to incorporate special teams into every practice. “To me, special teams is important – you can get turnovers, you can change the momentum of the game” with special teams.

The team will continue with morning workouts Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and participate in a couple of camps over the summer, starting with a camp at N.C. State next Thursday. The first official week is the first week of August, and that’s when the team moves to afternoon practices.

“All in all, these guys are in pretty good shape,” Elliott said. Several players said they’d been working during the off-season, he added. “I wouldn’t say they’re ready to play a football game tomorrow night, but I feel comfortable come August.”

 

TownTalk Trivia 06-09-22

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A special Thursday edition of TownTalk Trivia.

 

The Local Skinny! Business Spotlight: Satterwhite Pt. Marina

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The season is heating up on Kerr Lake as warmer weather brings out boaters and campers, and that’s just fine for Scott and Catherine Hughes, owners of Satterwhite Point Marina and Rudd’s Creek Marina near Boydton, VA.

The Hughes family is celebrating 30 years at Satterwhite Point Marina, and Catherine told John C. Rose Thursday during the business spotlight feature of The Local Skinny! segment that they work hard to provide good service to folks visiting the lake and they strive to be good community partners.

“It’s hard to believe that Rudd’s Creek has been open for eight years,” she said, adding that husband Scott basically duplicated at Rudd’s Creek what he’d built at Satterwhite.

The marinas have boat storage options in wet slips and she said the hope is to have Drystack storage at the Virginia marina in the next year or so. Right now, that option is only at Satterwhite Point.

Both marinas have lakeside stores with discount marine supplies, lake gifts, signs, snacks and more.

“We always try to support the communities in Henderson and in Mecklenburg County, VA as well,” Hughes said, “ and we appreciate the support we get as well.” She said great employees, great customers and a great place to work make for a winning combination.

“We think we’re lucky to be able to be able to work right on the lake,” she said. “Sometimes it can be demanding or stressful, but the majority of the time, it’s just beautiful.”

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Cooperative Extension With Jamon Glover: Biting, Pt. 3

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Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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Fireworks To Light The Night Sky At Satterwhite Point July 2

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The upcoming Fourth of July weekend at Kerr Lake promises to be filled with plenty of red, white and blue and all that makes summertime fun – including fireworks!

The Independence Day Celebration is set for Saturday, July 2 and Vance County Tourism is sponsoring the fireworks display. Tourism Director Pam Hester said Satterwhite Point Park is going to be THE place to be – there will be food, live music and other vendors from 4 p.m. until dark.

“Dark,” in this case, means after the sun goes down. On July 2, the sun will set at 8:35 p.m., and Hester said the fireworks will begin around 9:15 p.m.

As a reminder, alcohol is not permitted in state parks. There is a $7 state park gate fee, which is per car.

Contact Hester at 252.438.2222 vctourism@vancecounty.org for more information.

School Board Approves Leadership Changes At June 6 Meeting

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The Granville County Board of Education approved at its meeting Monday several recommended changes in leadership at the district and school levels.

The changes will take effect on July 1, 2022, according to GCPS Public Information Officer Dr. Stan Winborne.

Dr. Kerry Chisnall has been named as the Principal of G.C. Hawley Middle School. Chisnall comes to Granville County Public Schools with almost 20 years of experience at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

Tinisha Wharton, currently assistant principal at Stovall-Shaw Elementary, was named principal of Granville Academy. She replaces Mary Warehime, who will become a teacher instructional coach in the district. The assistant principal position at SSES will be posted and the search process will begin immediately.

Anthony Dickens will be the new principal of Phoenix Academy. Dickens currently is an assistant principal at J.F. Webb High School. Dickens replaces Calvin Timberlake, who is retiring.

Sheila Atkins, principal at Wilton Elementary, will be the coordinator of specialty, choice
& extended day programs for the school district. The principal position at Wilton will be posted and the search process will begin immediately.

Kimberly McNeill, most recently named as interim principal at that school, will be the homelessness, neglected & delinquent liaison, serving all eligible students in the district.

Ashley Lloyd has been named principal at Mt. Energy and Terylin Hester will fill the role of assistant principal.

Meg Strong was named as the director of Child Nutrition. She most recently was director of child nutrition in Franklin County for almost four years.

Donate Blood At Upcoming Drives In Henderson, Oxford

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What better way to celebrate World Blood Donor Day on June 14 than to make an appointment for an upcoming blood drive in the area? All eligible donors are encouraged to take part by making an appointment to give blood or platelets during the month of June.

The American Red Cross joins other blood collection organizations around the world to recognize the importance of a safe and stable blood supply and the donors who make it possible.

Nearly 2.5 million people volunteer to give lifesaving blood and platelets every year with the Red Cross, according to a statement from Eastern North Carolina’s Regional Communications Director Cally Edwards, which includes Vance, Granville and Warren counties.

Blood donations decline in late spring and early summer – especially during holiday weeks, like Memorial Day and Independence Day – but the need for blood and platelet transfusions doesn’t take a summer break.

To schedule an appointment to donate, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1.800.733.2767).

Blood drives in Henderson and Oxford are scheduled for Friday, June 24, Edwards stated.

Here are the details:

  • Henderson: 6/24, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Maria Parham Medical Center, 566 Ruin Creek Rd.
  • Oxford: 6/24, 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Oxford United Methodist Church, 105 W. McClanahan St.

As a special thank you, everyone who donates blood during June will also have their name entered for a chance to win a VIP trip for two to Graceland.

The trip includes round-trip airfare to Memphis, plus a three-night stay at The Guest House and Elvis Entourage VIP tour, courtesy of Graceland, a custom-wrapped Gibson Epiphone guitar and more.

Additionally, those who come to donate in June will also receive a $5 e-gift card to a merchant of choice.

Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1.800.733.2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information.

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

Home And Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • Japanese beetles are here. Try shaking beetles off plants in the morning to limit their damage on plants.
  • Be on the lookout for crabgrass in flower and shrub beds. Selective grass herbicide.
  • Take bottom leaves off tomatoes below where actual tomatoes have formed to prevent leaf diseases
  • Be cautious about using hay as a garden mulch. Herbicides used on pastures can persist in the hay and damage your vegetables.
  • Vegetables may need top dressing if plants are a pale green and you haven’t top dressed them in the last three weeks
  • Dieback in trees could indicate a severe problem. Contact your Extension office, the Forest Service or a certified arborist for assistance.
  • When harvesting vegetables put them in the shade as soon as possible. Harvest early in the morning.
  • Avoid using garden soil for container plantings. It’s heavy, doesn’t drain well, and may have weed seeds or fungal spores.

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