Davis Pleads Guilty to Second Degree Murder of Pressley

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-Press Release, Office of District Attorney Mike Waters

Warrenton, NC – Marquis Davis pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder and Assault with a Deadly Weapon with the Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury, in the 2015 murder of Michael Pressley in Warren County. The acts occurred in the early morning hours of August 9, 2015, when six men from Oxford, including Michael Pressley and Jerry Henderson, traveled to the Connect 25 nightclub in Warren County.

As the six men were leaving Connect 25, they were fired upon by individuals traveling in a GMC Sierra truck driven by Marquis Davis and also occupied by Kadeem Grooms, Darren Alston and Montrell Davis. Michael Pressley, a passenger in a Chevy Tahoe, was shot and died as a result of his wounds. Jerry Henderson, the driver of the Chevy Tahoe, was shot in the back and was treated for his injuries at Maria Parham Hospital.

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Henry W. Hight, Jr. sentenced Mr. Davis to 157-201 months active in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction. This case was scheduled for trial the week of September 4, 2018, in Warren County Criminal Superior Court, however, the plea was entered in Vance County Criminal Case Management Court on Thursday, August 23, 2018. Darren Alston and Montrell Davis previously plead in the matter, and Kadeem Grooms was convicted by a Warren County jury of First Degree Murder and related charges during the week of April 30, 2018.

This matter was investigated by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

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NC National Guard Offers College Tuition & Loan Repayment Assistance

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Several members of the NC National Guard were on WIZS’ Town Talk program Thursday to discuss the requirements and process of becoming a “citizen-soldier” in the reserve branch of the U.S. Army.

According to Master Sergeant Key, a team leader out of the Raleigh/Cary area, the majority of young men and women who enlist in the National Guard serve in a reserve capacity consisting of service one weekend a month and annual training two weeks during the summer.

This schedule gives the recruit the flexibility to pursue college studies while receiving federal tuition assistance up to $4,000 per year. The Reserve Montgomery GI Bill will also pay approximately $373 per month to full-time college students.

Those who have already received a college degree may qualify for the student loan program for repayment up to $50,000 of total debt amount. They will also receive opos debt help along with the loan for easier repayments.

Potential recruits must pass an aptitude test, a physical and have limited law violations. Once passed, initial recruits participate in a Recruit Sustainment Program one weekend a month to prepare for success in the Army’s 10-week Basic Training.

The second phase of the initial training is referred to as Advanced Individual Training (AIT) and involves learning a specific job skill.

The National Guard is currently offering up to $20,000 in enlistment bonuses for specific jobs including transportation specialist, engineer, military police, artillery and supplies specialist.

Fully-trained soldiers in the National Guard have the distinction of being able to return to their own hometown to serve. “What is unique about the National Guard is that those that complete their training return to their own community where they serve in a traditional guard setting as a citizen-soldier,” said Key.

The National Guard has a dual-obligation to the state and to the Federal Government. “As far as the state mission, we could be called to respond to hurricanes, floods, other natural disasters and civil unrest. The governor could call us into action to support our local community and state,” Key said.

“The federal component is tied to the U.S. Army, if they needed assistance with missions overseas, they could call on the NC National Guard.”

Each state and U.S. territory has a National Guard, with the NC branch being 10,000 soldiers strong. For more information, please contact the local recruiter at (919) 622-1327 or visit the NC National Guard website.

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Granville Co. Urges Pet Vaccinations After Seven Reports of Rabid Animals

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-Press Release, Granville County

Granville County Animal Control reports the pickup of seven rabid animals so far this year. Is your pet vaccinated? State law requires that all owned dogs, cats and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age. One shot is not enough – rabies vaccinations must be kept current. If you are unsure of when your pets were last vaccinated, talk to your veterinarian or local animal control officer about when rabies booster shots are needed.

The Granville County Animal Shelter, located at 5650 Cornwall Road in Oxford, provides one-year rabies vaccines for dogs and cats for $6 from noon until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Rabies can be deadly – protect your pets. Remember to never touch a wild animal. Call Granville County Animal Control at (919) 693-6749 to report any suspicious animals in your area.

About Granville County Government:

Granville County Government enhances the quality of life for the citizens of the County by providing an array of services through a responsive, effective, and efficient local government. Learn more at www.granvillecounty.org. Follow Granville County Government on Facebook @GranvilleCountyGov. 

City of Oxford Drone Demonstration at Masonic Home for Children – TOMORROW

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-Press Release, the City of Oxford

The City of Oxford announced its acquisition of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) commonly known as a drone. Initial utilization of the City’s drone will be in its public safety departments but will eventually involve Engineering, Public Works and Planning and Zoning. Acquisition of the drone was made possible by utilizing matching funds made available through a grant award from the NC League of Municipalities.

Oxford’s UAS is a DJI Matrice 200 equipped with a Zenmuse XT2 FLIR (forward-looking infrared) camera. The thermal camera provides the City’s Public Safety professionals with a unique way to increase situational awareness and gather additional scene information. This technology can assist agencies in making crucial and time-sensitive decisions by giving real-time, first-person views of ever-developing scenes.

“Having an additional view from above a fast developing scene gives us the information needed to deploy our resources where the need is most critical and decreases the risk to the responder,” said David Cottrell, Oxford Fire Chief.

Oxford Police Chief Alvin Coley stated, “We are excited about the endless potential of this new piece of equipment and its ability to increase the quality of services that Oxford Police provides to the city and surrounding communities. The new drone will enhance Oxford Police’s ability to perform various law enforcement related tasks that we could not perform or would otherwise require the use of several man hours. In some instances, the drone could be used to provide lifesaving information during critical instances, and in the non-critical task, it could provide general information for planning events. Law enforcement, in general, has embraced this new technology and I’m sure Oxford PD will learn and grow in a positive direction as well from this new acquisition.”

Unlike a hobbyist or recreational drone, Oxford’s equipment must be flown by an FAA Part 107 UAS Pilot. This certification allows the pilots to fly commercially as government operators. These operators must also pass the North Carolina Department of Transportation Operator’s Knowledge Test and follow all requirements for annual training and recertification.

The City of Oxford’s UAS is registered with the Federal Aviation Administration and is marked with a unique identification number and name as required.

There will be a demonstration of the drone on Thursday, August 23, 2018, at 1 p.m. behind the swimming pool at the Masonic Home for Children, 600 College St., Oxford.

Oxford’s ‘Music on Main’ Series Continues With BIG LOVE

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-Information courtesy the Oxford NC, Historic Downtown Facebook page

Music on Main – Downtown Oxford

Friday, August 24, 2018, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Streets will begin closing at 3 p.m.

Performance by BIG LOVE.

Bring a lawn chair, blanket, bug spray and your dancing shoes for a night of family fun!

(This is not a paid advertisement)

City of Oxford Seeking Local Photographs for Annual Greeting Card

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-Information courtesy the City of Oxford website

The City of Oxford would like to feature local scenes on the front of its annual greeting card. We invite photographers of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels to enter their best photos for a chance to be featured on the front of the City of Oxford’s 2018 or 2019 card, with authorship specified on the back of the card.

To be eligible, the photo must be taken within the City limits and must be scenes that are appropriate for winter or the holiday season from Thanksgiving through New Year’s.

Entries may be submitted in person to the City Clerk at City Hall, 300 Williamsboro Street, Oxford, or by emailing the picture and a brief description of the picture to cbowen@oxfordnc.org.

For more information, please contact Oxford City Hall at 919-603-1100.

Granville Co. Public Schools Celebrate Arrival of New Teachers

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-Information courtesy Dr. Stan Winborne, Public Information Officer, Granville County Public Schools

On Friday, August 17, 2018, Granville County Public Schools, elected officials, and members of the community celebrated the arrival of NEW teachers to the district.  These amazing educators from around the world joined the GCPS family to serve the students of our community.

The 2018 Teacher of the Year, Kimberly Allison (8th Grade Math GC Hawley Middle School) shared her thoughts with the new educators, “You will have great days, and you will have challenging days, but just remember the reason you are there is to make a difference in the life of a child. Go forth and be the inspiration!”

The Granville County Public Schools’ new hires for 2018 include: 1st row:  Dani Labrada, Samantha Stewart, Jorge Castaneda, Ife Wilkins, Jennifer Garbutt, Devin Holman 2nd row:  Karrie Holt, Brittany Hollowell, Shelbi Preston, Cynthia Wrenn, Roniecia Mack, Sonya Holloway, Tara Baker 3rd row:  Bethany Young, Brittany Taylor-Wright, Katrina Tunstall, Holly Navo, Abby Henry, Pooja Vittal, Carol Jon Foxx 4th row:  Sharetta Savage, Mary Breedlove, Tiffany Clawson, Morgan Forehand, Ann Peters, Brittany Perkins 5th row:  Courtney Finley, Mallory Strelecky, Emily Parham, Abby Kate Lumpkins, Xan Sibley, Annabelle Goller, Leslie Canady 6th row:  Andrew Lucas, Kevin Endres, Tivon Abney, Tyrone Fox. (Photo courtesy GCPS)

 

Oxford Public Works Committee Meeting Rescheduled for Thurs., Aug. 23

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-Information courtesy the City of Oxford website

The Public Works, Water, & Infrastructure Committee for the Oxford Board of Commissioners has been RESCHEDULED for Thursday, August 23, 2018, at 10 a.m. in the First Floor Training Room of City Hall, Oxford.

All those interested are invited to attend.

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Co. Board of Education’s Aug. Meeting to Focus on Declining Enrollment

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-Information courtesy Dr. Stan Winborne, Public Information Officer, Granville County Public Schools

The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a BOE Work Session on Monday, August 20th, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. at the Granville County Public Central Office, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, North Carolina.

The purpose of the meeting will be to receive information and discuss long-term planning options to address school facility needs and capacity in light of declining enrollment. The board will also meet in a Closed Session for Personnel/Attorney-Client Privilege 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 on this evening.

The next scheduled board meeting is Monday, September 10, 2018, at 6 p.m.

Oxford Public Works Meeting for Mon., Aug. 20 – CANCELED

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-Information courtesy Becky Whetstone, Sr. Administrative Support Specialist, City of Oxford

The Public Works, Water & Infrastructure Committee Meeting originally scheduled for Monday, August 20, 2018, at 10 a.m. has been CANCELED and will be rescheduled for a later time.