VGCC to Offer Open House at All Four Campuses

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College will hold an Open House on Saturday, April 6, 2019, from 9 a.m. until noon, at all four of its campuses.

VGCC staff members and faculty will be available during those hours to provide information on the enrollment process, academic programs and student support services. Visitors will also be able to take campus tours.

The Summer 2019 term begins May 20, while the Fall 2019 semester starts on August 19.

Prospective students are encouraged to pre-register for Open House (and select the campus they plan to visit) at www.vgcc.edu/openhouse.

VGCC’s Main Campus is located at 200 Community College Road, Henderson (Exit 209 on Interstate 85, about midway between Henderson and Oxford).

The Franklin County Campus is located at 8100 N.C. 56., Louisburg (just west of Louisburg).

South Campus is located at 1547 South Campus Drive, Creedmoor (off of N.C. 56, between Creedmoor and Butner).

The Warren County Campus is located at 210 West Ridgeway Street (U.S. 158 Business) in Warrenton.

For more information on enrolling, call (252) 738-3234 or visit any campus.

Bert Beard, Maria Parham CEO, Talks Growth & Expansion

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Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health, was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss his role at the hospital and to provide updates on recent expansions at both the Henderson and Louisburg locations.

Maria Parham CEO

“My job, most simply put, is to take care of the people who take care of our patients,” said Beard. In other words, Beard listens to and addresses the needs and concerns of Maria Parham employees, a dedicated group he refers to as the frontline of the organization.

To better understand these needs, Beard calls for a “morning huddle” involving the hospital leadership team each weekday morning at 9 a.m. “We kick off the meeting with three positive things going on in the hospital or with team members, then we talk about things happening in the hospital – safety issues, things we need to anticipate throughout the day and things that we need to disseminate to our caregivers.”

With a five-county coverage area from the Virginia border to south of Louisburg, Beard said operating a hospital, in many ways, is akin to running a town with its own unique advantages and challenges.

“A hospital is like a small city in terms of people coming and going every day,” Beard explained. “It’s a high-stress environment. People are coming here with health issues; they’re scared and their family members are scared. It is our job to not only take care of the patient with the diagnosis but also take care of families and help put them at ease.”

MPH Growth and Expansion

One of the main areas of focus for Beard, and many of the Maria Parham staff, over the past year has been getting the Maria Parham Franklin facility in Louisburg up and running.

Since its grand opening in October 2018, the Franklin facility has seen more emergency room patients than originally projected and expanded outpatient services with the addition of a multispecialty clinic and medical office building located next to the hospital.

Beard also reported that ground was recently broken on the construction of a 20-bed psychiatric unit to open in early 2020.

At the main Maria Parham facility in Henderson, hospital leaders are currently submitting a proposal to build a new catheterization laboratory to further expand the cardiovascular services offered through the hospital’s partnership with Duke LifePoint Healthcare.

A regional human resource center has also been added across the street that will serve all of LifePoint and add jobs to the community, according to Beard.

Maria Parham’s cancer treatment program is yet another bragging point for the hospital. “Our cancer program here has been a feather in our cap for nearly 20 years,” said Beard. “We have Duke providers, and we use Duke protocols and Duke research. Anything you can get done in Durham or Raleigh, you can get done here – radiation oncology and medical oncology.”

When looking at how much Maria Parham has to offer, including the convenience of quality care close to home, Beard said the community is fortunate to have access to “excellent services, especially general surgery and cardiology – the core to a community hospital.”

From his unique perspective as CEO, Beard is able to see the way all of the parts and pieces come together to make up the bigger picture. “I love what I do. There isn’t a single job in this hospital that isn’t critically important.”

To hear the Town Talk interview with Bert Beard in its entirety, click here.

Granville County Chamber of Commerce

Local Chambers of Commerce to Host Administrative Professionals Luncheon

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— Information courtesy Granville County Chamber of Commerce | Ginnie Currin, Executive Director ~ 919-693-6125 ~ ginnie@granville-chamber.com

The Granville County Chamber of Commerce, together with Franklin, Warren and Vance Chambers are sponsoring the annual Administrative Professionals Luncheon.

This year’s event is being held Wednesday, April 24 at noon at Thorndale Oaks, 105 West Quailridge Road in Oxford. We are honored to have Vance-Granville Community College’s new President, Dr. Rachel Desmarais, as our guest speaker for the luncheon.

Business owners and administrators are encouraged to treat their administrative professionals to lunch, networking and an opportunity to meet Dr. Desmarais in observance of Administrative Professionals’ Day.

Lunch reservations are required ~ $20 per guest by April 18 to either of the Chamber’s offices – 919.693.6125, wanda@granville-chamber.com or 919.528.4994, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com.

Franklin Co. Sheriff’s Office Arrests Wake Resident on Indecent Liberties Charge

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On February 11, 2019, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division issued a warrant for the arrest of David Alan Brantley, a Wake County resident. Mr. Brantley was charged with: (1) one count of Felony Indecent Liberties with a Child.

On March 14, 2019, with the assistance of Wake County Sheriff’s Office, David Alan Brantley was arrested and served on the above-listed charge.

David Alan Brantley was given a $15,000 secured bond and is currently being held in the Wake County Detention Center,

David Alan Brantley – 102 Knott Drive Knightdale, NC 27545, DOB: 12/01/1998.

On February 11, 2019, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division issued a warrant for the arrest of David Alan Brantley, a Wake County resident. Mr. Brantley was charged with: (1) one count of Felony Indecent Liberties with a Child. (Photo courtesy FCSO)

Get Slimed for a Good Cause at FGV Smart Start’s ‘Slime Walk’

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-Information and flyer courtesy Christan Paylor, Professional Development Coordinator, FGV Smart Start

Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start will hold a “Slime Walk” on Saturday, April 6, 2019, at Franklinton High School – 910 Cedar Creek Rd. in Franklinton, NC.

Event registration begins at 9:30 a.m.; walk takes place from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The pre-registration deadline has passed, but registration will be allowed the day of the walk.

Bring out a group, walk for children and have fun!

For more information, please contact FGV Smart Start at (252) 433-9110, ext. 224.

 

Citizen Complaints Lead to Drug Arrest of Franklin Co. Resident

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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 resident, Christopher Myles Evanston Yarborough for multiple drug violations. In addition to the arrest, a search warrant was executed at 910 Dogwood Lane Franklinton, NC. The arrest of Mr. Yarborough and subsequent search occurred on February 28, 2019.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit received multiple complaints that Mr. Yarborough was involved in the illegal use and sale of controlled substances in and around the Franklinton area. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit was able to corroborate the information and the investigation led to the arrest of Mr. Yarborough as well as the execution of the search warrant at his residence. The investigation and arrest resulted in the seizure of Crack Cocaine, Marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Christopher Myles Evanston Yarborough of 910 Dogwood Lane in Franklinton, NC was arrested and charged with Possession with intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana (2 Counts), Sell and Deliver Marijuana, Possess with the Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine, Sell and Deliver Cocaine, Maintain a Dwelling/Vehicle for the purpose of Selling Controlled Substances (3 Counts). (Photo courtesy FCSO)

Sheriff Kent Winstead stated, “Our response to citizen complaints is a high priority for our Drug Unit. We continue to encourage citizens to be observant and to report suspicious activity to the Sheriff’s Office. Our goal is to identify and arrest those who chose to sell these illegal drugs in our communities.”

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit was assisted in this investigation by the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Branch of the SBI.

Christopher Myles Evanston Yarborough 910 Dogwood Lane Franklinton, NC 27525 DOB: 8/14/1993

Christopher Myles Evanston Yarborough was charged with the following: Possession with intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana (2 Counts) Sell and Deliver Marijuana Possess with the Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine Sell and Deliver Cocaine Maintain a Dwelling/Vehicle for the purpose of Selling Controlled Substances (3 Counts).

Christopher Myles Evanston Yarborough is currently in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $75,000 secured bond.

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.

 

VGCC Franklin Campus to Hold ‘Community Engagement Night’

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-Information courtesy Christopher LaRocca, Director of Communications, VGCC

Vance-Granville Community College will hold a “Community Engagement Night” event at their Franklin Campus in Louisburg on Tuesday, March 19, 2019.

The community is invited to hear campus updates and discussion on the community college vision and VGCC’s strategic direction. An open dialogue session will also provide a speaking opportunity for participants.

Franklinton Police Seeking Public’s Assistance in Homicide Investigation

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-Information and photos courtesy the Franklinton Police Department’s Facebook page

The Franklinton Police Department is seeking public assistance in identifying the two individuals pictured below. These individuals are persons of interest in a homicide investigation.

The homicide occurred on January 18, 2019, on Fairlane Ave. in Franklinton. If anyone was in the area between 7 and 7:30 p.m. and saw anything, contact Franklinton Police Department at (919) 494-2888 ext 107 or ext 105.

Information can also be given by calling the State Bureau of Investigations tip line at 1-800-334-3000. INFORMATION CAN BE ANONYMOUS.

Franklin County Sheriff

Franklin Co. Detention Center Inmate Found Deceased

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-Press Release, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

On March 7, 2019, at approximately 5:30 a.m. while conducting inmate checks for the detention center cells at the Franklin County Detention Center, a male inmate, age 32, was discovered deceased. There were no signs of foul play or suspicious activity.

Per standard procedure, the State Bureau of Investigation was requested by this agency to investigate the death.

Sheriff Kent Winstead stated that “the Sheriff’s Office is saddened at the loss of life and extends their condolences to the individual’s family.”

NC Dept of Agriculture

Reardon Talks CBD Products: What’s Legal and What’s Illegal in NC

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Joe Reardon, NC’s Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture for Consumer Protection, was on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the recent explosion in the marketplace of CBD oil and CBD-containing products.

Following up on a press release published in mid-February, Reardon stated that the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) is taking an “educational approach” in making producers and retailers aware of both state and federal laws regarding CBD products.

“We felt with the confusion in the marketplace and the explosion of these products, the most responsible thing the NCDA&CS could do was to educate everybody on what’s federal law, what’s state law and what our expectations of those in NC would be,” Reardon said.

CBD, or Cannabidiol, is a compound derived from the legal product hemp that lacks the psychoactive chemical levels needed to experience the proverbial “high.” According to Reardon, cbd öl should contain 0.3% or less of THC, a psychoactive cannabinoid commonly associated with traditional marijuana.

While CBD has been approved by federal and state law as a drug, Reardon explained that it cannot be legally added or infused in either human or animal food products that are for sale.

Of particular concern to the department, according to Reardon, is the illegal sale of CBD food items traditionally marketed to children including gummies, ice cream and lollipops.

CBD products can also not make health claims, including statements that the product may prevent, treat or cure any disease. Failure to comply could result in embargo or seizure of products.

“We don’t want someone making an uninformed decision,” said Reardon. “We don’t want people on prescription pharmaceuticals to discontinue their medication without consulting their physician.”

The NCDA&CS has sent out approximately 400 letters to CBD manufacturers and retailers detailing what is legal and what is illegal to sell in North Carolina. The letters are prompting phone calls and questions of officials, Reardon said.

“The encouraging thing is that in many places across the state, once we made them aware of the law, they are complying. They say they are not going to continue to order or display CBD food products and they are removing pamphlets from stores that make CBD health claims.”

Reardon said the department will evaluate the effectiveness of this initial, educational campaign and will take a more “aggressive regulatory approach” if needed.

While CBD production is currently unregulated, Reardon said the goal of the NCDA&CS is to work with the State Legislature and the industry to construct a regulatory framework for CBD product that will be sold as tinctures.

“We believe the product needs to be processed in the right environment, we believe the extraction should be done with the most appropriate chemicals and we believe there should be quality control in this process,” Reardon explained.

Until a regulatory framework is in place, Reardon suggests consumers ask questions and do their research before purchasing CBD products. “Find out who processes it, where is it being processed, is it being tested and what is the concentration of the final product.”

Industry with questions about the regulation of CBD can call the Food and Drug Protection Division at (919) 733-7366. You may also visit the NCDA&CS website by clicking here or email Reardon directly at joe.reardon@ncagr.gov.

To hear the Town Talk interview with Joe Reardon in its entirety, click here. Reardon’s segment begins at the 17:10 mark.