Mooresville Man In Vance Co. Jail On Burglary, Larceny Charges

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A Mooresville man is in the Vance County Detention Center facing a slew of charges in connection with burglary and the theft of a truck full of landscaping equipment.

Henderson Police arrested Herman Ray Terry, Jr., 35, Thursday night about 10 p.m. in the area of Hillside Ave., according to Chief Marcus Barrow.

In a statement to WIZS News, Barrow said Terry was in possession of a 2003 Isuzu commercial vehicle. The truck, valued at more than $45,000, contained in excess of $20,000 dollars of commercial-grade landscaping equipment.
The commercial vehicle belonged to Matrix Lawn Landscaping based in Mooresville.

Officers were initially unable to reach the company or its owner due to the time, but contact was made with Mooresville Police Department. Mooresville Police Department went to the business and found that the business had been burglarized.
The Mooresville Police Department was then able to make contact with the owner of the business, and he verified the vehicle and equipment were stolen and that Herman Ray Terry Jr. had been recently terminated as an employee.
The vehicle and its equipment were brought back to the Henderson Police Department and kept until the company could come and retrieve it.
Terry was originally charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle and stolen goods. Magistrate Cowan issued a $26,000 secured bond.
Mooresville Police Department then obtained warrants for larceny of a motor vehicle, felony larceny, breaking and entering, possession of stolen goods, and injury to real property. Magistrate Stewart gave Terry an additional $80,000 bond.

“State of the City” Highlights Positive Progress For Henderson’s Future

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The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, partnering with Henderson Vance Rotary, hosted the 2022 “state of the city” address Thursday,  highlighting an array of projects underway and others on the horizon but also asking for a unified community approach to tackle issues that detract from the city’s image.

The dining room at Henderson Country Club was filled with about 100 Chamber members and guests for the program. Greg Etheridge, local Rotary president, welcomed the group, after which Mayor Eddie Ellington and City Manager Terrell Blackmon provided updates on the city’s current situation and prospects for future revitalization.

Ellington said he balances celebrating the city’s recent successes with the need to face “hard truths” that cannot be ignored. The City Council passed a $39 million budget with no increase in taxes or fees, and the city’s fun balance is “sturdy,” he said. New jobs are being added through projects like the M.R. Williams expansion and the addition of the cardiac catheterization lab at Maria Parham Health.

But increased gun violence, lack of affordable housing and a low percentage of home ownership in the city are certainly areas of concern, as are numerous open positions within the city administration.

Blackmon used results from the city council’s recent strategic planning retreat to identify several areas of need in his presentation titled “Reshaping Henderson” – which include improving the perception of the city, effective recruitment and retention of city employees and housing redevelopment.

“We have things to fix,” Blackmon said. Whether it’s an ongoing campaign to reduce litter with the city’s neighborhoods or actively promoting existing and new events that take place in downtown Henderson, he said the whole community needs to become more involved.

The police department is down 9 officers, the fire department has 12 vacancies, according to Blackmon, and the city has been with two key department heads for a year – the city needs a lead engineer and someone to oversee the public works departments.

With expected growth in the number of redevelopment projects as revitalization continues, the work of these two departments is critical.

“We have to have that every day leadership to move forward,” he said. It’s tough to compete with larger cities nearby, especially for law enforcement, he added. One step the city took recently is to give a $1/hr. pay increase to front-line workers as a way to retain employees.

The city has allotted $1.5 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds – ARPA – to fund redevelopment activities and other strategic investments in the city, and Blackmon encouraged and challenged others within the community to “leverage that money to help more residents in Henderson and Vance County.”

A self-described “passionate public servant,” Blackmon mentioned the various community assets that bring visitors to the area, where they spend money and contribute to the local economy. In addition to Kerr Lake, Fox Pond Park and McGregor Hall, he pointed out the new skate park near downtown and a new outdoor pavilion in the Embassy Square area that is ready to proceed with construction.

The city rejoined the Main Street program in 2021 as one way to promote downtown revitalization. Blackmon mentioned several grant programs and projects that have come along since that time, and said there’s more to come.

“I think you’re going to be very pleased with some of the progress that’s coming” to downtown, he said.

Moving forward with the West End and Flint Hill urban redevelopment areas is one way the city is hoping to boost safe, affordable housing for Henderson residents.

The median income in Henderson in 2020 was about $31,000, which Blackmon explained would be enough to purchase a home that cost about $168,000. But with a poverty rate of 29.3 percent, home ownership often is out of reach.

Blackmon said 60 percent of housing in Henderson is rental housing, which creates challenges for tenants, for property owners and for the city. It puts a greater burden on businesses and homeowners to “carry the services we provide to the community,” Blackmon said. The city relies heavily on property tax revenues.

Infill housing – new construction in established neighborhoods close to downtown – is something that the city needs, but he added that it is difficult to make the housing affordable. Blackmon hinted at the possibility of several future projects involving subdivisions and infill development.

The much-talked-about water plant expansion should get off the ground by January 2023 and the S-Line Mobility Hub is a hot topic right now for the area. Blackmon said Assistant City Manager Paylor Spruill was in Raleigh Thursday for the unveiling of the first draft of what the railroad station could look like.

The rail project, though chugging closer to fruition, is still in the early stages of development, one transportation-related issue that has long been on the minds of city officials could face a roadblock.

The Dabney Drive widening project could face getting pushed further down on the to-do list by NC DOT.

“Dabney Drive is a critical artery for the city of Henderson,” Blackmon said. “That widening project needs to happen as soon as possible.” He urged those present to talk to their elected state officials to keep the project from moving down the list.

Vance County Sheriff's Office

2 Charged With Shooting At Wake Electric Truck

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Two arrests were made Thursday in connection with an incident last week during which a Wake Electric Membership Corporation truck was struck by gunfire.

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame said his officers executed a search warrant at 240 Island Creek Estates Rd. as part of the investigation of the June 23 incident. According to a press statement, Brame said deputies responded to a shots fired call on Island Creek Estates Rd. about 3 a.m.

Upon the arrival, law enforcement discovered that a Wake Electric Membership Corporation truck had been fired upon.

The company’s truck was struck twice by gunfire. Although occupied at the time,  no injuries were reported.

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division responded to the area and conducted an investigation into the incident, which resulted in the search of the residence.  Automatic assault rifles, handguns, magazines and a large quantity of ammunition was discovered.

Arrested were Di’quayveon Hargrove, 24, and Datwain Henderson, Jr., 22.

Each has been charged with discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle.

Bond was set at $50,000 for each man.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.

Dethmers New Veterans Services Officer For Granville

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The Granville County Veterans Services Office will be led by new Veterans Services Officer (VSO), Christopher Dethmers.

In this role, Dethmers will focus on providing a wide range of services, programs and support to veterans and their families including connecting local veterans to services provided by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“I’m honored that Granville County has entrusted me to serve as Veterans Services Officer,” Dethmers said in a press statement. “My career has been dedicated to serving my country in the US Marine Corps and the NC Army National Guard. I cannot think of a better way to continue my career by working with and for my fellow veterans by providing support and resources to Granville County Veterans and their families. I’m excited to get started, and I look forward to connecting our veterans to services and expanding programs that will enhance the great support  they already receive from Granville County.”

Dethmers is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and the N.C. Army National Guard. The Vance County native enlisted shortly after the events of Sept. 11, 2001 and served six years while stationed at Camp Lejeune as a member of the 2nd Marine Division (2nd MARDIV) and was  deployed to Fallujah, Iraq in 2004-2005.

In 2008 he joined the NC Army National Guard Active Guard Reserve. During his time in the National Guard, Dethmers served as Platoon SGT, 1st SG, Readiness NCO and as a recruiter. Dethmers was again deployed to Iraq in 2019-2020 with the 30th Brigade Combat Team and retired  from the National Guard in 2022. He is also the co-founder of the Granville-Vance Warriors Anonymous PTSD group for veterans and law enforcement.

He graduated from Vance-Granville Community College and currently lives in Vance County with his wife of 21 years, Lindsy Dethmers. He and Lindsy have three children (Becca, Izzy, and Austin)  and are the proud grandparents of Brynly Skye Boone. He attends Clearview Baptist Church in Henderson and Delrayno Baptist Church in Oxford.

The Veterans Services office is scheduled to reopen to the public on Tuesday, July 5 and is located at 141 Williamsboro St. in Oxford. The public may contact Veterans Services staff by calling 919.693.1484 or online at https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/veterans-services/.

Granville County Library System

No More Overdue Fines For Granville Library Patrons

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How fitting that as the upcoming Independence Day holiday nears, the Granville County Library System (GCLS) announces that the library is now fine-free. As of July 1, library patrons no longer face overdue fees for items checked out from any library branch.

Fees for lost or damaged items, however, remain in effect, as well as fees for various library services, such as printing and copying fees, according to a press statement from Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood.

The Library Board of Trustees and the County Board of Commissioners chose to implement this new policy based on successful programs in large and small library systems across the United States that did away with library overdue fees. Library systems that eliminated late fees have noted an increase in library use, a decrease in overdue items in their collections, and have noted through testimonials from library patrons how meaningful it was to not have previous late fees, or the fear of future fees, impede their use and enjoyment of the public library.

“Going fine-free helps remove barriers to library access,” said Library Director Will Robinson. “This policy has been successful across the country, and we want to make sure that all Granville County residents know they are welcomed at their library,” Robinson said.

He added that he and his staff don’t want children to have the lasting image of the library as an unfriendly place associated with debt.

“It is especially disheartening to know that these families accrue debt that was caused simply by wanting to enjoy books and the other resources that libraries offer. We can open a lot of doors to learning and enrichment when our residents feel like the library is a welcoming, inclusive environment,” Robinson said.

For more information about resources and programs offered by GCLS, visit https://granville.lib.nc.us/ or any of the branches in Oxford, Berea, Stovall or Creedmoor.

MPH Welcomes Gastroenterologist Mamun Shahrier To Staff

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-information courtesy of Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health has announced that Mamun Shahrier, MD, PhD, FACP has joined its staff and will be offering GI services to patients throughout Henderson, Vance County and the surrounding area. Shahrier is a gastroenterologist with more than 30 years of clinical experience.

“Having worked with Dr. Shahrier for more than six years across two markets, I am very excited to welcome him to Maria Parham,” said MPH CEO Bert Beard. “His knowledge of the region and proven track record of delivering high-quality patient care will benefit the communities we serve tremendously.”

Shahrier is board-certified in gastroenterology and most recently worked at Wilson Gastroenterology, where he saw patients and performed GI procedures for  more than five years.

He was graduated from Dhaka Medical College, Bangladesh in 1984 and earned his PhD from The Medical College of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London in 1993. He served an internal medicine at Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY in 1999 and completed a fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in 2002.

Shahrier is seeing new and established patients at his office at Maria Parham GI Associates. For a referral or to schedule an appointment, please call 252.430.8111.

Guthrie Named Chief Medical Officer At Maria Parham Health

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-information courtesy of Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health has announced that Dr. Shauna Guthrie has been named the organization’s chief medical officer.

In her new role, Guthrie will set direction for Maria Parham Health’s medical department and provide leadership in collaboration with local health systems, community-based providers and academic institutions. Guthrie also will build upon the hospital’s current clinical and medical care foundation as she adds her expertise to further drive innovation in health care, according to a press statement issued Friday.

“We are elated to welcome Dr. Guthrie to our executive team,” said MPH CEO Bert Beard. “Her work serving the community as a provider and medical director for Granville Vance Public Health give her intimate knowledge of the needs of the communities we serve and the broader political structures we will need to navigate to continue to meet those health needs. The fact she will continue in her public health role as well will also further strengthen our coordination of care in the region.”

Guthrie will continue her role as medical director for GVPH, a role she has had for the past seven years. She also has a private practice, Sunflower Direct Primary Care, in April 2021 in downtown Henderson.

Guthrie is a graduate of the New Hampshire Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency in Concord, NH. After graduation, she stayed in New Hampshire to participate in the Dartmouth Hitchcock Leadership Preventive Medicine Residency where she completed a Masters in Public Health with a focus in quality improvement.

With more than a decade of clinical and health care leadership experience to MPH. She is board certified in Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine. Guthrie came to Henderson seeking warmer weather in 2013 where she was in private practice, seeing adult patients and delivering babies at Granville Health System and Maria Parham Health.

She also enjoys giving back to the profession by teaching students and residents. Guthrie currently sits on the executive board of directors for the NC Academy of Family Physicians as the president-elect and will assume the role of president in December 2022.