Donny Ray Hilton

Creedmoor Man Arrested for Indecent Liberties With a Child; Authorities Suspect Additional Victims

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-Information courtesy the City of Creedmoor

On Thursday, July 23, 2020, at approximately 12:11 p.m., Creedmoor investigators executed a search warrant on Mayview Drive. The search warrant was the result of an ongoing investigation into allegations of sexual assault against a minor.

Later in the evening, police investigators returned to the same address and arrested Donny Ray Hilton (white male, age 33 of Creedmoor) for three (3) counts of Indecent Liberties with a Child. Hilton was placed in Granville County Jail under a $105,000 secured bond.

The investigation is ongoing; investigators do expect additional charges for more known victims and suspect additional unknown victims may exist. Anyone with information or knowledge of similar cases is urged to call the Creedmoor Police Department at (919) 528-1515 or Granville County Crime Stoppers at (919) 693-3100.

A reward of up to $1,000 dollars is offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the suspect. Callers do not have to give their name or personal information. All callers are kept anonymous.

Creedmoor Police Department was assisted with this investigation by members of the NC State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) team. Creedmoor Police Department joined the NCSBI ICAC Task Force in 2019.

On Thursday, July 23, 2020, at approximately 12:11 p.m., Creedmoor investigators executed a search warrant on Mayview Drive. Later in the evening, police investigators returned to the same address and arrested Donny Ray Hilton (white male, age 33 of Creedmoor) for three (3) counts of Indecent Liberties with a Child. (Photo courtesy City of Creedmoor)

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

GVPH COVID-19 Update: Cases Increase, Deaths & Hospitalizations Remain Stable

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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

The following is an update for COVID-19 spread and response in Granville and Vance County as of July 30, 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

1,145 positive test results for COVID-19.

Of those 1,145, 611 are community-spread cases located across Granville County. Of those 611, 484 have been released from isolation, and six are hospitalized.

Of those 1,145 cases, 505 are affiliated with the prison system in Granville County, and 74 of those 505 have been released from isolation.

Of those 1,145, 29 are associated with outbreaks at long term care facilities, including 11 at Murdoch Development Center, two at Central Regional Hospital, one at Brantwood Nursing and Rehab Center, seven at Universal Health Care, and eight at Granville House.

Of the 29 cases in long term care facilities in Granville County, six have been released from isolation.

There have been a total of 25 deaths in Granville County: three in the community, one at Central Regional Hospital, and 21 of whom were associated with the Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Complex.

Vance County

693 positive test results for COVID-19.

Of those 693, 570 are community-spread cases located across Vance County. Of those 570, 415 have been released from isolation.

Of those 693, 123 are associated with outbreaks at congregate living facilities, including 48 cases associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, and 17 associated with Senior Citizens Home. The outbreak at Pelican Health nursing home is no longer active.

Of the 123 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 44 have been released from isolation.

Three individuals in Vance County are hospitalized

There have been a total of 40 deaths in Vance County: 14 of whom were associated with the Pelican Health nursing home outbreak, 11 of whom were associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, and two of whom were associated with Senior Citizens Home.

WIZS Note: There are 155 total active cases in the Vance County community and 127 in the Granville County community at large at this time (excluding congregate living numbers). The total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Vance County has not increased since July 6.

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 www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information from Granville Vance Public Health and to sign up for daily email updates.

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Co. Board of Education to Hold Regular & Special Called Meeting Aug. 3

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a regular Board meeting on Monday, August 3, 2020, at 6 p.m. This meeting will be conducted electronically, with members of the public invited to view via livestream.

To join the livestream meeting, please use the following link: https://live.myvrspot.com/st?cid=MDhkZj.

The Board will also meet in Closed Session in accordance with N.C. General Statute 143.318.11 (a)(6), 143-318.11 (a)(3), 143.318.11 (a)(5) and Section 115C-321 for Personnel, and Attorney/Client Privilege.

Public comments for this meeting will be accepted in writing by using this link: https://forms.gle/krHjyJg3JTwj7jt1A. Comments entered into this form between the hours of 12 and 4 p.m. on August 3, 2020, will be distributed to the Board of Education members prior to the meeting, and the first two minutes of each comment will be read aloud during the meeting.

A maximum of 30 minutes in total will be allotted for public comment.

The Board of Education will also hold a special meeting on Monday, August 3, at 5 p.m., prior to the regular Board meeting.

The purpose of the special meeting will be to meet in Closed Session under G.S. 143-318.11(a)(1), (a)(3) and (a)(6) to prevent the disclosure of confidential personnel information and consult with the Board’s attorney.

Due to health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting will take place electronically. The Board will convene in open session at 6 p.m. for its regular meeting.

To view the agenda for the regular Board meeting, please click here.

Granville County Chamber of Commerce

Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Granville Class of 2020-21 Canceled

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-Press Release, Granville County Chamber of Commerce

The Granville County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Granville Steering Committee and Executive Committee have made the decision to cancel the Leadership Granville Class of 2020 – 2021. The decision was made based on the potential impact of COVID-19 on the upcoming class, which was scheduled to begin in early September and run through the end of March 2021.

Currently, Chamber businesses and industry members are unable to allow visitors to tour their facilities. Also, Steering Committee members are limited in the amount of “outside of their workplace” interaction they are able to have.  

A virtual class option was discussed; however, it was unanimous that this was not ideal as networking face-to-face with other class members, and visiting the community entities is extremely important.

Those persons who wish to be included on a list to be contacted for the 2021 – 2022 Leadership Granville class should email the Granville County Chamber of Commerce – wanda@granville-chamber.com or tawheeler@granville-chamber.com to request an interest flyer.

4 County Community Connections

Cardinal Innovations Healthcare to Host ‘4 County Community Connections Fair’

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-Information courtesy Cardinal Innovations Healthcare

Join Cardinal Innovations Healthcare this August to learn about available mental health resources and services for kids and families in Vance, Granville, Franklin, and Warren counties. This event – 4 County Community Connections Fair – is designed for children and families.

Due to COVID-19, there have been some changes to ensure everyone’s health and safety. This event will be held drive-thru style where children and families will receive:

• Drawstring bags stuffed with school supplies

• Facemasks (Pack of 4)

• Meals from Subway (while supplies last)

• Community Providers and Resources Flyers and Videos

• Access to the Virtual Key Note Speaker focusing on the #mentalhealthmatters theme to challenge the stigma of mental health and substance use

WHEN AND WHERE:

Tuesday, August 18, 2020 ~ 2 to 6 p.m.

Granville County

  • Granville Expo Center – 4185 US Highway 15 South Oxford, NC 27565

Wednesday, August 19, 2020 ~ 3 to 7 p.m.

Vance County

  • Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center – 200 Community College Rd Henderson, NC 27537

Warren County

  • Warren County Armory Civic Center – 501 US Hwy 158 Bus E Warrenton, NC 27589

Franklin County

  • Vance-Granville Community College Franklin Campus – 8100 NC-56 Louisburg, NC 27549

Sponsors: 4 County Juvenile Justice Behavioral Health Team (JJBH), Vance Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Warren Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Granville Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Franklin Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Gang Free, Inc. and Cardinal Innovations Healthcare.

For more information, please email Whitney Robertson at Whitney.Robertson@cardinalinnovations.org.

Granville County Law Enforcement Center

New Granville Co. Law Enforcement Center Readies to Open

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Granville County Government

With the completion of construction work at Granville County’s new Law Enforcement Center, finishing details are now being addressed for the move-in of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office and for the 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center, which will soon follow.

The project has been ten years in the making after a study determined the existing 4,900-square-foot facility was no longer adequate. After consideration of several possible sites, the county closed on 35 acres on New Commerce Drive in Oxford in August of 2017. Situated just off I-85, the location is easily accessible from Butner, Creedmoor and Oxford and is a short drive from the Granville County Courthouse.

Aerial Shot Granville Law Enforcement Center

Aerial photo of new Granville County Law Enforcement Center courtesy Bordeaux Construction.

The new Law Enforcement Center will enable the Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Communications Center and Detention Center to operate under one roof. Plans are for the Detention Center to be transitioned into the new facility in the fall and to be fully operational by the end of the year.

For economies of scale, the Board had also approved the construction of a new animal shelter on the same site, which is also in the final stages of completion. This new facility will include additional kennel space, areas for public interaction with adoptable animals, and administrative offices for Animal Shelter staff and Animal Control. The existing Shelter is located on the site of a former state prison at 5650 Cornwall Road in Oxford, with no room for expansion.

Granville Co. Law Enforcement Center

Entrance to the recently completed Granville County Law Enforcement Center at 525 New Commerce Drive in Oxford, NC (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)

For the design of both projects, the focus was on functionality and security, with a plan to meet the county’s needs for the next 35+ years. Moseley Architects and Bordeaux Construction were awarded contracts for the design and construction of both projects. A ground-breaking ceremony was held in March of 2019 to officially kick off work on the 88,000 square-foot law enforcement center and the 8,500-square-foot animal shelter.

Granville County’s Board of Commissioners and Sheriff Charles R. Noblin, Jr. will be hosting an Open House and Ribbon Cutting for the new Law Enforcement Center on Aug. 10 from 2 until 4 p.m., with a program scheduled for 2:15 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend and to take a tour of the facility. An Open House for the Animal Shelter will be held at a later date.

The Granville County Law Enforcement Center is located in Oxford at 525 New Commerce Drive.

Roxboro Police Department

Video Footage, Seized Shotgun to be Analyzed in Officer-Involved Shooting of David Brooks, Jr.

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-Press Release, Office of Michael D. Waters, District Attorney for the Eleventh Prosecutorial District

On Wednesday, July 29, 2020, District Attorney Michael D. Waters and Assistant District Attorney Hollie Y. McAdams appeared in chambers before the Honorable Cynthia K. Sturges, Resident Superior Court Judge of the Ninth Judicial District. The District Attorney‘s Office asked the Court to release the dash camera footage of the July 24, 2020, officer-involved shooting which lead to the death of David Brooks, Jr.

The family of David Brooks, Jr. and Chief David Hess of the Roxboro Police Department both consented to the release of the video footage and Judge Sturges signed an Order to that effect. 

This video footage along with a shotgun seized from the scene as evidence by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), will be sent to the North Carolina State Crime Lab for further analysis. This forensic testing may take several weeks to complete. 

If you witnessed the incident on July 24, 2020, involving the Roxboro Police Department, and you have not been interviewed yet, please call the SBI at (919) 779–8188 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.). After hours and on weekends, please call 1–800–334–3000. 

The District Attorney‘s Office will await the results of the complete SBI investigation before making any determination about whether the use of force was appropriate.

City of Oxford

City of Oxford to Resume Normal Disconnection Procedures July 30

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

IMPORTANT NOTICE: City of Oxford Utility Customers

The City of Oxford will resume normal disconnection procedures Thursday, July 30, 2020, for unpaid accounts from March 31-July 29, 2020. Bills due after July 29 will also be under normal City Utility Policy procedures.

Any utility customer with an outstanding balance from March 31-July 29, 2020, must make payment arrangements with the City of Oxford Water Department by August 7, 2020. Any outstanding balance accrued prior to March 31, 2020, will not be included in the payment arrangements.

Please call (919) 603-1120 with questions and/or to set up payment arrangements.

Executive Order 124 went into effect on March 31, 2020, and prohibited the disconnection of utility services for nonpayment and suspended assessment of late and non-payment fees. The Order was amended by Executive Order 142 to expire on July 29, 2020, at 11:59 p.m.

Resources include:
https://www.ncuc.net/execorder124.html (NC Utilities Commission)
https://files.nc.gov/…/EO124-Utilities-Evictions-Financial-… (EO 124)
https://files.nc.gov/…/EO142-Temp-Prohibitions-on-Evictions… (EO 142)

Boys and Girls Clubs

Boys and Girls Clubs Announces Planned Reopening Date for Local Units

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-Information courtesy the BGCNCNC newsletter and President/CEO DJ Jones

In a recent newsletter, Boys and Girls Clubs of North Central North Carolina (BGCNCNC) President/CEO Donyell “DJ” Jones announced that the Boys & Girls Clubs is working to finalize its reopening strategy. 

Current plans include opening the following locations on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, with hours to be determined:

  • Granville Unit
  • Vance Unit
  • Franklin Unit
  • Franklinton Middle School Unit
  • Halifax Unit

Approval from the local school systems is still needed to open the following locations: 

  • Mariam Boyd Elementary Unit
  • Northside K-8 Unit
  • West Oxford Elementary Unit
  • Creedmoor Elementary Unit
  • Inborden Elementary Unit
  • Everetts Elementary Unit

Although several locations will be open, due to social distancing requirements and guidance from the local health professionals, BGCNCNC will not be able to operate at full capacity. Capacity will be determined as club spaces are evaluated. The current plan is to offer in-person services and virtual programming. 

As BGCNCNC moves forward with its reopening strategy and procedures, members will be contacted by the Area Director/Unit Director.

Members whose contact information has changed should contact the appropriate club location to update:

  • Granville Unit – (919) 690-0036, ext 121
  • West Oxford Elementary Unit, Creedmoor Elementary Unit – (919) 690-0036, ext 107
  • Vance Unit, Mariam Boyd Elem. Unit and Northside K-8 Unit – (919) 690-0036, ext 105
  • Franklin Unit and Franklinton Unit – (919) 690-0036, ext 104
  • Halifax Unit, Inborden Elem. Unit and Everetts Elem. Unit – (919) 690-0036, ext 108

For more information, please call (919) 690-0036 or visit www.bgcncnc.com.

Sheriff Charles Noblin

Granville County Sheriff Warns Against COVID-19 Scams

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

Granville County Sheriff Charles Noblin, Jr. advises that scammers have been “pulling out all the stops” to capitalize on the COVID-19 pandemic, using illegal robocalls, phony websites, bogus emails and other forms of communication. In the Summer 2020 Newsletter of the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association, Sheriff Noblin offers a warning to be aware and to look to trusted sources of information to stay safe and avoid being a victim.

According to the North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ), there have been reports of scammers knocking on doors trying to peddle fake cures and test kits, as well as cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment. At the same time, price gougers had been driving up prices on necessities like toilet paper, food products, gasoline, disinfectants and hand sanitizer.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the release of economic relief payments offer scammers yet another opportunity to trick citizens out of their money and personal information. Social Security beneficiaries have reported receiving calls from scammers claiming to be from the United States Treasury Department, the Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service, who try to convince them to give out confidential information such as their bank account numbers, Social Security information or government benefits debit card number.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, there are ways for consumers to avoid falling victim to coronavirus-related scams:

  • Do not respond to texts, emails or calls about checks from the government. The Internal Revenue Service will not contact you by telephone, email, text message or social media;
  • Ignore online offers for vaccinations, since there are no products proven to prevent or cure the coronavirus at this time;
  • Be wary of ads for test kits;
  • Hang up on robocalls;
  • Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control or the World Health Organization, and report any concerns;
  • Do your homework when making donations. Never make a contribution by cash, in gift cards or through wiring money.

To file a complaint with the North Carolina Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Division, call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.