Mike Waters

Two Men Sentenced During Recent Granville County Criminal Superior Court Session

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-information courtesy of District Attorney Mike Waters

Two men were sentenced last week during a session of Granville County Criminal Superior Court, one receiving an active sentence of between 21 months and 35 months for driving while impaired and the other one between and 5 and 7 years for trafficking cocaine and related offenses.

According to a press release from District Attorney Mike Waters, Jose Antonio Guillen was found guilty by a Granville County jury of driving while Impaired, driving while license revoked for an impaired driving offense. After that verdict, Guillen pleaded guilty to habitual DWI, in that he had three prior convictions of DWI within 10 years before this date of offense. Guillen was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Josephine Davis to an active sentence of 21 to 35 months in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

On Sept. 24, 2022, Guillen approached a checking station set up by members of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. After an investigation, it was determined that he was in fact impaired while operating the car, and his license was revoked because of a previous Driving While Impaired conviction from Wake County. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol investigated that case. The State of North Carolina was represented by Assistant District Attorney Allison Capps.

Orlando Latta faces up to 7 years after pleading guilty to two counts of trafficking in cocaine and possession of a firearm by a felon for offenses that were discovered after a traffic stop on I-85 in Granville County on Dec. 14, 2021.

Latta pleaded to possession of a handgun by a convicted felon,and 30 grams of cocaine. This incident was investigated by a deputy with the Granville County Sheriff’s Office.  Latta also pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in opiates or heroin, and possession of a firearm by a felon, for offenses that were discovered after a traffic stop on Gate #1 Road in Butner on Apr. 4, 2022.  During that stop, Latta was found to be in possession of two firearms as a convicted felon, and over 8 grams of Fentanyl. This incident was investigated by Butner Public Safety, Judge Davis sentenced Latta to an active sentence of 70 months to 93 months in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction. The State of North Carolina was represented by Assistant District Attorney Allison Capps.

VGCC Logo

VGCC Hosts FAFSA Day Jan. 27

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-information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

Vance-Granville Community College’s Financial Aid Office invites high school students, current college students, families and adult learners to attend FAFSA Day on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. – 12 noon.

The event will take place at VGCC’s Main Campus in Henderson; attendees should check in at the Building 7 front lobby upon arrival.

Organized by the College Foundation of North Carolina, this free event provides one-on-one or small group help with FAFSA completion and submission, according to information from VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel.

The college welcomes anyone in the community seeking financial aid for college, not just current or prospective Vance-Granville students.

There is no requirement to accept any aid offered, but the FAFSA can help you understand your options. By filling out the FAFSA, you could access:

  • Grants and scholarships that you do not have to pay back
  • Work-study programs that allow you to earn money working at the school you attend
  • Student loan options

Completing the FAFSA is more important than ever this year for North Carolina students. It’s the process through which eligible students could receive the Next NC Scholarship, which awards a minimum of $5,000 for those attending a public state university or at least $3,000 for those attending community college. Students with the greatest need for financial aid could qualify for even more funding to help make paying for college more manageable.

Learn more or RSVP for Vance-Granville’s FAFSA Day event at www.cfnc.org/pay-for-college/fafsa-day. For additional questions, please contact VGCC’s Financial Aid Office at fao@vgcc.edu or 252.738.3280.

Red Cross To Host Volunteer Open House Jan. 25 In Granville County

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Granville County doesn’t currently have a chapter of the American Red Cross, but a group of local organizers are planning a Volunteer Open House to share information about what it will take to form a volunteer team there.

The open house will take place Thursday, Jan. 25 at The Venue at HighRock Farm, located at 2317 Enon Rd., Oxford from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Red Cross is known for blood drives and disaster relief efforts across the globe. But did you know that the organization also needs volunteers to help deliver the blood that gets donated and that most of the U.S. disasters are house fires?

“Just knowing that someone is there to lend a helping hand during these trying times provides a light of hope for Granville County residents,” said Laurie Hughes, Executive Director of the Greater Triangle Area Chapter, American Red Cross of North Carolina. “Please join us by resolving to help as a Red Cross volunteer and ensure no one faces life’s emergencies alone.”

The open house is free and all ages are welcome. There will be Hands Only CPR training, and participants can learn more about all the volunteer opportunities available with the Red Cross.

Light refreshments will be served, and organizers would like anyone interested in attending to RSVP by contacting Lesley Ireland at 919.709.8129 or Lesley.Ireland@redcross.org.

The need for volunteers is constant. Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to learn more, including the most-needed positions:

  • Blood donor ambassadors and transportation specialists: Blood donations are essential to the health of our communities, and blood donor ambassadors are a vital part of this work by welcoming visitors and taking their temperatures before entering Red Cross facilities and blood drives. Visitors could include potential blood donors, people seeking help, training course participants, and Red Cross employees and volunteers. We also have a high need for transportation specialists in Durham and Wake Counties to help deliver blood from our facilities to local hospitals.
  • Disaster response volunteers: Most of the U.S. disasters that the Red Cross responds to every eight minutes are local home fires, which can destroy nearly everything a family owns in a matter of minutes. Partnering with local fire departments, Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers connect with families by video or phone call to provide emotional support, emergency financial assistance and information to help families begin to recover.
  • Volunteer from home (virtual positions): Help from the comfort of your own home through a wide range of virtual opportunities.

VGCC Celebrates MLK At Jan. 23 Event

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Information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

 

The community is invited to Vance-Granville Community College Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 12:30 p.m. to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The celebration, titled “Decreasing Inequities and Increasing Opportunities” is hosted by the VGCC Men’s Achievement Academy and V.I.E.W., Vance-Granville’s Initiative on Equity for Women.

The event will be held at the VGCC Main Campus Civic Center and is free to attend.

“Expect an inspiring speech from Dr. Kelvin Bullock, Executive Director for Equity & Professional Development for Durham Public Schools, as well as songs from the VGCC Staff Choir,” said VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel.

Please RSVP at www.vgcc.edu to help event organizers get a count of projected attendance. Refreshments will be served.

Golden Leaf Scholarship Application Period Open Now For 2024-25

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Applications are being accepted now for the 2024-25 Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities scholarships, which assists incoming college freshmen and transfer students pay for school.

There are more than 200 scholarships that will be awarded, according to information from the office of N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon, whose District 32 includes Vance and most of Granville counties. Students in both counties are eligible to apply based on criteria that include being rural counties, economically distressed and tobacco dependent.

The scholarships could be as much as $14,000 – that breaks down to $3,500 a year for four years – for incoming freshmen attending a North Carolina college or university. Students transferring from a N.C. community college can get $3,500 a year for up to three years.

Students must be a graduating North Carolina high school senior or a currently enrolled North Carolina community college transfer student, enrolling full-time in the fall 2024 semester at a participating North Carolina public or private college or university. If a student intends to return to a rural North Carolina county after graduation, this can increase his or her chances of earning the scholarship.

Applicants must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and demonstrate financial need as determined by the application process; have a cumulative GPA of no less than 2.5; and be a resident of a rural North Carolina county that is economically distressed and/or tobacco dependent.

For more information, visit CFNC.org or scholars.goldenleaf.org/apply/colleges-and-universities/.

NCDOT

Washout Closes Section of Old NC 75 In Stem

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A section of Old North Carolina 75 near School Street in Stem washed out and will remain closed, according to a N.C. Department of Transportation press release, through late Thursday (01-18-2024).

Maintenance crews made the discovery and are “working to fix the problem and will reopen this section of Old North Carolina 75 as soon as possible.”

For a detour, drivers will use Otho Mangum, Lyon Station, and Brogden Roads.

NC DIT Survey To Collect Info About Internet Accessibility

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Granville County residents are being asked to take part in a survey about internet capabilities where they live and their accessibility to the internet with phones, computers, tablets and more.

Having reliable broadband internet continues to be an important factor facing communities across the state and nation, and Granville County is no exception.

“In an effort to bridge the digital divide and ensure that every resident of North Carolina has access to high-quality internet services, we have launched the North Carolina Broadband Survey,” according to information from the N.C. Department of Information Technology’s division of broadband and digital equity. The survey will help gather information about which areas throughout the region lack adequate internet access and high-speed connectivity, officials noted.

Access the survey at: https://ncsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9EpNXtAhUn7IOQS

SportsTalk: Alex Tharp Talks JF Webb Basketball

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Alex Tharp, J.F. Webb head basketball coach, discusses the current basketball season.

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The Local Skinny! Sossamon Appointed To Legislative Oversight Committee

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N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon has been selected to sit on two committees by N.C. Speaker Tim Moore, Sossamon’s office announced recently.

Sossamon, representing District 32 that includes Vance and most of Granville counties, now is a member of the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee and the House Select Committee on Substance Abuse.

As a member of the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee, Sossamon will help shape policies and initiatives that impact the state’s transportation infrastructure, according to the press statement. The committee works to enhance and improve transportation systems across the state.

The House Select Committee on Substance Abuse plays a role in developing strategies and policies to combat substance abuse and ensure the well-being of the state’s residents. A major focus of the committee will be exploring ways to control the unregulated and untested drugs that have been created to mimic the effects of opioids that are widely available for purchase across North Carolina.

“I am honored to have been appointed to these crucial committees by Speaker Moore,” Sossamon stated. “I look forward to working collaboratively with my colleagues to address the challenges in transportation and substance abuse facing our state. Together, we can make a positive impact on the lives of our constituents.”

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Missing Dog Near Wilton

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For our friend and his dog.  Please call or text if you see Bennett.