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-Information courtesy Granville County Government
Every ten years, America comes together to count all the residents and households in the country, providing the basis for reapportioning congressional seats, redistricting and distributing federal funds that support vital programs in communities, counties, states and across the nation.
Census results impact housing, education, transportation, employment, health care and public policy. Your community benefits the most when the census counts everyone.
Address canvassing for the 2020 Census has begun, with representatives of the U.S. Census Bureau in the field to update and verify local addresses.
These address listers may be knocking on doors across the area and asking a few simple questions to confirm the address and to request information regarding additional living quarters on the property.
For identification purposes, badges and briefcases will be visible indicating affiliation with the Census Bureau.
This operation is one of several activities the Census Bureau conducts for an accurate and complete count and will continue through mid-October as the 2020 Census prepares to officially start counting people in March 2020.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/NC-Census-2020.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-08-26 16:52:562019-08-26 16:52:56Address Canvassing Begins for 2020 U.S. Census
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-Press Release, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit and Special Response Team, arrested Franklin County residents, Rodney Antwan Allen and Disherea Mattquie Forrest on August 22, 2019. The arrest took place during a search warrant at their residence located at 350 Wilders Lane, Louisburg, NC.
Rodney Antwan Allen, 31 years old, resident of 350 Wilders Lane Louisburg, was arrested August 22, 2019, on 21 felony charges. (FCSO photo)
This investigation into illegal drug activity began as a result of citizen complaints alleging Mr. Allen was involved in selling illegal narcotics throughout Franklin County. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit validated Mr. Allen’s illegal activities and began an investigation. As a result of this investigation, the Drug Unit determined Ms. Forrest was also engaged in illegal drug activity. Mr. Allen was ultimately charged with 21 Felony charges and Ms. Forrest was charged with 7 Felony charges.
In addition to the original charges, Narcotics Detectives also seized Cocaine, Marijuana, pills, US Currency, drug scales and other drug paraphernalia during the search.
Sheriff Kent Winstead stated, “We encourage the public to be observant and report drug activity when they observe it occurring in their neighborhood. We continue to use the information our citizens provide to actively pursue those who sell drugs in our communities”.
Disherea Mattquie Forrest, 29 years old, resident of 350 Wilders Lane Louisburg, was arrested August 22, 2019, on seven felony charges. (FCSO photo)
Rodney Antwan Allen is currently being held in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $250,000 secured bond.
Disherea Mattquie Forrest is currently being held in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $150,000 secured bond.
Rodney Antwan Allen, 31 years old, 350 Wilders Lane Louisburg, NC 27549
Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver a Controlled Substance (6 Counts)
Sell and Deliver a Controlled Substance (4 Counts)
Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling for the purpose of Storing/Selling a Controlled Substance (7 Counts)
Trafficking Opiates (3 Counts)
Conspire to Sell Cocaine
Disherea Mattquie Forrest, 29 years old, 350 Wilders Lane Louisburg, NC 27549
Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver a Controlled Substance
Sell and Deliver a Controlled Substance
Trafficking Opiates (4 Counts)
Conspire to Sell Cocaine
If you have information regarding this case or you would like to report drug activity in your area, please contact Sgt. Ken Pike at (919) 496-2186, a criminal defense lawyer has already been assigned to the case.
Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start will hold its annual Ducky Derby Festival and rubber duck race, a fundraiser for the local Smart Start program, on Saturday, September 21, 2019, in downtown Henderson, NC.
At noon, the festival begins on Breckenridge Street between the library and police station. This years’ activities include a bounce house and slide, as well as face painting and balloon animals for the children. Other activities are corn hole and ring toss. Vendors will be on hand serving hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, sausage dogs, fish sandwiches, corn on the cob, funnel cakes, ice cream, and snow cones.
Entertainment will include a DJ, singing performances from several daycare programs, and music from Henderson Collegiate, Mary Potter Elementary School band and choir, as well as the drumline from Granville Central High School.
The YMCA will lead line dancing and Zumba in the street. Children can man a real firehose with the assistance of the Henderson Fire Department, and Smart Start will be giving each child at the event a free book, as well as the opportunity for the parent to enroll any child age 0 to 5 in the Imagination Library, a program that sends a book each month to the child at their home.
Safe Kids will also be present and will set up childcare safety seat inspections for those parents with children still in car seats. Local nonprofits will have booths with information for families and children as well.
At 2 p.m., the entertainment switches to Garnett Street, where the rubber duck race will take place. Up to 2,000 rubber ducks will be poured into the Garnett Street “river” by a cement mixer provided by Greystone Concrete. The first duck to cross the finish line at Orange Street wins $1,000, second place $500, third place finish is $250, and the last duck to cross the finish line wins $100.
There will be an additional drawing at the end of the race for Chick-fil-A for a year. Winners of the cash prizes do not have to be present to win; however, the winner of the ‘Chick-fil-A for a Year’ prize must be present to claim the 52 meal tickets.
In Henderson, tickets are on sale at EZ Car Care, Dots Hallmark, Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce and the State Employees Credit Union. All Smart Start staff and board members also have tickets, please call (252) 433-9110.
Tickets will also be on sale the day of the race until 1 p.m. Ducks are $5 each, a Quack Pack of 6 tickets is $25, and a Flock of 25 tickets is $100.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Ducky-Derby-2019.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-08-23 16:52:522019-08-23 16:52:52FGV Smart Start to Hold 10th Annual Ducky Derby
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-Press Release, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit and Community Action Team, arrested Franklin County resident, David Sidney Smith, on August 21, 2019. Shortly after Mr. Smith’s arrest, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team executed a search warrant at his residence located at 130 Smooth Rider Road, Louisburg, NC before sending him off to one of the drug rehab centers Delray Beach.
This investigation into illegal drug activity began as a result of multiple citizen complaints alleging Mr. Smith was involved in selling illegal narcotics throughout Franklin County. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit validated Mr. Smith’s illegal activities and began an investigation.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit and Community Action Team, arrested Franklin County resident, David Sidney Smith, on August 21, 2019. This investigation into illegal drug activity began as a result of multiple citizen complaints alleging Mr. Smith was involved in selling illegal narcotics throughout Franklin County. (FCSO photo)
As a result of this investigation, Mr. Smith was charged with three (3) counts of Possess with Intent to Sell/Deliver a Schedule I Controlled Substance, (Heroin), one (1) count of Possess with Intent to Sell/Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance, (Pills), two (2) counts of Sell and Deliver Controlled Substance (Heroin), two (2) counts of Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for storing controlled substances, two (2) counts of Conspiracy to Sell and Deliver a controlled Substance (Heroin), two (2) counts of Trafficking Opiates, and Possession of a Firearm by Felon.
In addition to the original charges, Narcotics Detectives also seized Heroin, various pills, a Smith & Wesson firearm, US Currency, drug scales and other drug paraphernalia during the search.
Sheriff Kent Winstead stated, “This is another great example of taking the information we received and responding in a way that makes our communities safer. The partnerships between the agencies involved with this case prove that working together is an effective way of truly making a difference.”
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this investigation by the District Attorney‘s Office, the US Attorney’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Agents with North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement.
David Sidney Smith is currently being held in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $540,000 secured bond.
David Sidney Smith, 24 years old, 130 Smooth Rider Road Louisburg, NC 27549.
For more information regarding this investigation, or to provide information regarding drug activity in your community, please contact Sergeant Ken Pike at (919) 496-2186.
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-Information courtesy Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Youngsville Police Department, is seeking the public’s help in locating Kedrick Derrell Jones, age 29, of Wake County.
Jones frequents the Rolesville, Wake Forest, Youngsville and Zebulon areas.
Mr. Jones has been charged with approximately 70 criminal offenses to include Breaking and Entering of Motor Vehicles and Felony Larceny.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Crime Stoppers at (919) 496-7867.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Youngsville Police Department, is seeking the public’s help in locating Kedrick Derrell Jones, age 29, of Wake County. Jones has been charged with approximately 70 criminal offenses to include Breaking and Entering of Motor Vehicles and Felony Larceny. (Photo courtesy FCSO)
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Kedrick-Jones-Mug-Shot.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-08-22 16:57:402019-08-22 16:57:40Search On for Man Charged With 70 Counts of Vehicle B&E, Larceny
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
It’s officially football season, and WIZS has you covered locally with “Vance County Friday Night Football” live every Friday evening on 1450AM, 100.1 FM, and via live stream at www.wizs.com. Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m.; kickoff and play-by-play coverage begin at 7 p.m.
Also, be sure to tune-in to WIZS’ weekly Coach’s Corner Show each Friday at 1 p.m. This week, to kick off the season, the Coach’s Corner will originate live from Citizens Pub and Grill in downtown Henderson.
WIZS’ own John Charles Rose and Trey Snide were on Tuesday’s edition of Town Talk to provide an overview of the Vance County High School Vipers’ second overall athletic season and first season as part of the Big Eight 3A Conference.
Playing in their first game this Friday evening, August 23, 2019, the Vipers take on the Bunn Wildcats at home. The Vipers finished with a 4 – 7 record in their first season of play as a combined high school last year.
The first four games of the season are nonconference matches; conference play in the Big Eight 3A begins with a game against the Chapel Hill Tigers on September 27.
The final game of the regular season is scheduled at home against the Cedar Ridge Red Wolves on November 8.
The Vipers will also face the East Chapel Hill Wildcats, Southern Durham Spartans, Orange Panthers, Northern Durham Knights and Northwood Chargers in conference play.
Snide, who enters his third year covering Friday Night Football for WIZS, said Vipers Coach Darry Ragland is excited about this season, especially quarterback Samein Burwell.
“This is the first year Burwell has had a complete off-season and workout program,” said Snide. “In the sixth, seventh or eighth game of the regular season, that’s when Burwell finally had a full year under his belt under the brand new offense the Vipers were bringing with Coach Ragland.”
Snide said Ragland has expressed “excitement about Burwell’s potential” and hopes to improve on last year’s record of 1,800 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
On the Wildcats end, second-year Bunn Head Football Coach Bradley Murphy spoke with Snide and said the Vipers can expect his team to bring “hustle and effort” to Friday’s match.
“We are going to come and give our best effort and best hustle on and off the field,” Murphy said. “I tell my boys all the time if they give their best, I’ll be proud of them at the end of the game regardless of the final score.”
Snide said the outcome of this first game, along with additional nonconference games scheduled against the Warren County Eagles, J.F. Webb Warriors and Roanoke Rapids Yellow Jackets, will set the tone for the Viper’s season.
“We are going to see what this team is all about, especially in the first four games leading up to the Big Eight Conference. These are teams we should be able to handle pretty well if the offense and defense can play on the same playing field,” Snide said.
Snide and WIZS’ other “colorful” cast of Vance County Friday Night Football announcers are looking forward to rooting on the Vipers this season. In fact, Rose said he can document coverage of what is now known as Vance County Friday Night Football back to at least 50 of the station’s 64 years on the airwaves.
“None of this is about us, however,” said Rose. “This is about the school, this is about Vance County, this is about the listenership, but most important, this is about the student-athletes. WIZS cannot wait to highlight the student-athletes – the quarterbacks, the defensive players, as well as the coaches and assistant coaches.”
To hear the Vance County Friday Night Football Town Talk discussion in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsresize_0000s_0009_572821.png-copy.png265504Kelly Bonduranthttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngKelly Bondurant2019-08-20 16:58:382019-08-20 16:58:38Town Talk 08/20/19: Vipers Kick Off Friday Night Football With Game Against Bunn
Vance-Granville Community College held Convocation on Friday, August 16, 2019, at the Main Campus in Henderson.
Faculty and staff with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service were recognized and are pictured below.
5 Years of Service (front row, seated, left to right) Dr. Erica Fleming, Julie Hicks, Erin Folz (second row, left to right) Leslie Hurt, Stacey Soles, Victoria Whited, April Rossi, Melanie Copeland, Faith Harris, Stephen Barney (third row, left to right) Stewart Lyon, Isaac Talley, Robert Newby, Gregory Wilson, Steven Graham, Luther Curtis, Wallace Evans, Ken Wilson, Mike Brodie.
10 Years of Service (front row, left to right) Frankie Frink, Veta Pierce-Cappetta, MaryBeth Vick (back row, left to right) Sean Newton, Lyndon Hall.
15 Years of Service (left to right) Rusty Pace, Dr. Tracey Carter, Lisa Edwards.
20 Years of Service (seated, left to right) Julie Jones, Wille Mae Foster-Hill, Jennifer Allen (standing) Craig Saunders.
25 Years of Service (left to right) Susan Cease, Donna Gill, Tomeka Carter.
30 Years of Service Larraine Abbott.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/VGCC-Service-Award-2019.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-08-20 16:58:112019-08-20 16:58:11VGCC Holds Convocation, Recognizes Employees’ Years of Service
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-Information courtesy Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Youngsville Police Department are seeking your assistance in identifying the individual photographed below.
The individual in the photos is a person of interest in the recent motor vehicle breaking and enterings that have been plaguing local subdivisions since July 1.
If you have any information on the identity of the individual pictured below, please call Crime Stoppers at (919) 496-7867.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/FCSO-Vehicle-BE.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-08-15 16:59:242019-08-15 16:59:24Help Needed Identifying Person of Interest in Recent Vehicle B&E Cases
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Press Release, NC MedAssist
NC MedAssist is holding a Mobile Free Pharmacy Event in Franklin County, NC on Friday, August 30, 2019. The event is open to any individual or family needing over-the-counter medications.
The event will be held at Louisburg Senior Citizens Center (127 Shannon Village, Louisburg, NC 27549). Participants must be at least 18 years old to receive medicine. Everyone will receive up to eight items free of charge. No identification is required.
Val Short, Executive Director of Triangle North Healthcare Foundation, said, “We are pleased that the NC MedAssist Mobile Free Pharmacy is coming to Franklin County. The Foundation is a funder for this event, which provides much-needed over-the-counter medications that can be unaffordable to many in our region.”
“NC MedAssist is excited to host a Mobile Free Pharmacy event in Franklin County,” said NC MedAssist CEO, Lori Giang. She shared: “Together with our community partners, we are bringing free over-the-counter medications, like Tylenol and Band-Aids, to area residents. No one should ever go without medicine and the Mobile Free Pharmacy Program enables us to reach those who are unaware of our free resources.”
The Mobile Free Pharmacy events have served upwards of 800 people, at times. To ensure the event runs smoothly and that all participants are served by the end, many volunteers are needed. NC MedAssist is partnered with other safety-net organizations to recruit community members to serve in volunteer roles such as pharmacy consultation, client ‘personal shoppers’, and sorters. However, the charitable organization is still actively seeking volunteers for the Mobile Free Pharmacy Event from the community. Any available individuals can sign up at www.medassist.org/volunteer.
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 $68.5 million in free prescriptions and over-the-counter medications statewide. Of course, this would not be possible without the numerous, dedicated volunteers.
In the region served by Triangle North Healthcare Foundation, over 600 individuals have been served by NC MedAssist through grants from the Foundation.
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, and the Senior Care Program.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/NC-MedAssist-Logo.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-08-15 16:58:232019-08-15 16:58:23NC MedAssist’s Health Care Resources Coming to Franklin County
Franklin County Schools is proud to announce the hiring of a veteran school administrator as the new Executive Director of Secondary and Career & Technical Education (CTE).
Dr. Danyelle Parker has served as CTE Program Manager for Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools since 2016. In addition to her district office experience, she has school administration experience as a middle school principal and high school principal, as well as assistant principal.
Dr. Parker began her career in education as a middle school business education teacher and later a high school business education teacher. She has 22 years of combined experience as a CTE teacher and school administrator during which time she worked in Nash-Rocky Mount Schools, Wake County Public Schools, Yadkin County Schools and Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools.
“Dr. Parker’s expertise in career and technical education will help ensure that all of our students are career-ready and college prepared by designing innovative and engaging learning opportunities,” said Dr. Rhonda Schuhler, Superintendent of Franklin County Schools.
Parker earned a bachelor of arts degree in business administration from Winston-Salem State University, a master of education degree from East Carolina University (ECU), a master of school administration degree from North Carolina State University, an educational specialist (EdS) degree in administration and supervision from ECU, and a doctorate of education from Gardner-Webb University.
Cleo Evans
Franklin County Schools is also proud to announce that a veteran alternative learning administrator has been hired as its new Director of Alternative Programs.
Cleo Evans, of Rocky Mount, will be responsible for implementing and maintaining alternative student programs and services in accordance with District and State of North Carolina objectives. The director serves as the administrator of Vine Academy in Franklinton.
“We are excited to welcome Ms. Evans to her new leadership position,” said Dr. Rhonda Schuhler, Superintendent of Franklin County Schools. “Her passion and commitment to the success of all students made her a clear choice for the position. This passion and commitment will translate into her new role, which has the ultimate goal of promoting a supportive environment with high expectations for students who participate in alternative programming.”
Evans has been the Hope Alternative Learning Administrator for Edgecombe County Schools since 2014. She has also served as a classroom teacher, literacy coach, member of the North Carolina Alternative Learning Board and Vice President of the North Carolina Association of Alternative Learning. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in history from North Carolina Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount, as well as a master of education degree from Cambridge College in Chesapeake, VA.
The Director of Alternative Programs position will allow Evans to build upon her previous experiences to create a culture in which every student will learn and experience success that will prepare them for the world beyond the classroom.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/FCS-Parker-and-Evans.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-08-14 16:57:452019-08-14 16:57:45Franklin County Schools Appoints New CTE, Alternative Programs Directors
