Henderson Police Department

Temco/New Dixie Robbery Suspects Sought, Public Assistance Requested

Temco/New Dixie Robbery Suspects Sought, Public Assistance Requested

HPD Press Release

On Wednesday, February 7, 2018 around 10:20 PM, members of the Henderson Police Department responded to Temco Food Mart, 1022 Ruin Creek Road Henderson, NC in reference to an armed robbery. The suspects were described as two black males. One suspect was described as wearing a black hoodie and a bandana, and the other as wearing a dark-colored hoodie and a bandana. Suspects displayed firearms and stole an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency.

On Thursday, February 8, 2018 around 9:50 PM, members of the Henderson Police Department responded to New Dixie Mart, 1201 Dabney Drive Henderson, NC in reference to an armed robbery. The suspects were described as two black males. One suspect was described as wearing a black hoodie, and the other as wearing a gray hoodie and a black jacket. One of the suspects displayed a firearm and stole an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency.

The Henderson Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect(s) involved in these cases. If you have knowledge of who the suspect is or know of his whereabouts you are asked to contact the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141. Callers may also call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or by using the P3 app on a smartphone or tablet device. Callers may remain anonymous.

Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow

Kittrell Community Watch Meeting Thurs, Feb 15, 2018

— pictures and information provided by Edward Woodlief

Kittrell Community Watch will meet at 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Union Chapel United Methodist Church located at 6535 Raleigh Road, Henderson. The meeting will take place on Thursday, Feb 15.

Woodlief wrote in an email to WIZS News, “Please note this is a new location for the meetings. A member of the NC State Highway Patrol will be the speaker. Candidates for the May Sheriff Election, Curtis Brame and Billy Gooch will also speak. Light refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome.”

The organization has a web page if you would like more information – www.kittrellcommunitywatch.com.

(Kittrell Community Watch Photo)
Mary Jo Floyd, (Reporter) Jill Floyd (phone tree), Bailey Alston, Guest Speaker, Edward Woodlief, President, and Greg Thorpe, Sheriff’s Department from an earlier meeting

VGCC Honors Retired Faculty and Staff

— courtesy VGCC

VGCC honors retired faculty and staff

Vance-Granville Community College celebrated employees who had retired from the college — and particularly those nine who retired in 2017 — during a holiday social for faculty and staff, held in December in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus.

Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of VGCC, thanked all employees, past and present, for their dedicated service to students and the community. “Our employees make VGCC such a special place,” Dr. Williams said, adding that this year’s retirees included a “super scientist,” a “duo of dynamic directors,” a “talented techie,” an “awesome administrative assistant,” a “creative cosmetologist,” a “champion child care specialist” and the “greatest of all time groundskeepers.” She noted that these nine retirees served VGCC for a combined 136 years.

She called upon various college leaders to make presentations to their departments’ newest retirees.

Dean of Arts and Sciences Cynthia Grissom-Young recognized Dr. Gail Ruby, who, as part of a long career in education, taught Physics, Math and other courses at Main Campus, South Campus and online for four years.

Director of Plant Operations Jack Puckett honored John Allen for his seven years of service as the Groundskeeper on VGCC’s Main Campus.

Puckett likewise praised Dennis Hodge, who was retiring after 12 years. Hodge joined VGCC as a Groundskeeper and eventually became Coordinator of Grounds Maintenance. Puckett recognized both Allen and Hodge for their commitment to excellence that kept the campus grounds beautiful.

Vice President of Institutional Research and Technology Dr. Ken Lewis recognized Chuck Tulloch, Senior Computer Technician/Telecom Administrator in the Information Technology department, who retired with 10 years of service. He also graduated from VGCC with an associate degree in Networking Technology.

Myra Poole, interim dean of continuing education and basic skills, praised Jean Blaine, another 10-year veteran, who retired as director of Occupational Extension and was previously an administrator in VGCC’s Prison Programs. She was VGCC’s Staff Member of the Year in 2010.

Vice President of Finance & Operations Steve Graham recognized Jack Puckett, who, he said, wore “a number of hats” in his 16 years of service at VGCC. Puckett retired as Director of Plant Operations.

Registrar Kathy Ktul lauded Deborah Sullivan, a longtime administrative assistant in Student Services, as organized and a “workhorse” who took on numerous vital tasks. She retired after 18 years, many of those years in the Career Center.

Cosmetology Program Head Tomeka Moss saluted Iris Richardson, a Cosmetology instructor who taught at three VGCC campuses during her 18 years. She graduated from VGCC with an associate degree, a diploma and a Cosmetology Instructor certificate.

Finally, Dean Grissom-Young paid tribute to Deborah Harris, Child Care Specialist in the Child Care Center on Main Campus, and, with 41 years of service, VGCC’s longest-serving full-time employee upon her retirement. Harris was also surprised at the social when Dr. Williams presented her with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine on behalf of Gov. Roy Cooper.

–VGCC–

News 02/13/18

Meeting Student/Parent Needs in the 21st Century

The following is a letter to the editor provided by Granville County Public Schools.

Letter to the Editor:

Submitted by Dr. Alisa McLean, Superintendent, Granville County Public Schools  and Dr. Tom Houlihan, Chairman, Granville County Public Schools Board of Education

Meeting Student/Parent Needs in the 21st Century

We are excited about the future of Granville County Public Schools.  However, a critical moment in time is at hand as aging buildings, declined student enrollment, and few instructional options confront us.   While student achievement is slowly improving, it still is not at the rate we would like to see.

As such, we know that now is the time for change – BIG change!  With new leadership and vision in place, we believe we can make significant improvements for students and families, but it  will require support from the entire community.  In order to gain this support, we believe it is important that our citizens understand our plan for the future.  Here it is in a nutshell:

First, we need to revitalize our school buildings.  In partnership with the County Commissioners, we plan to make every one of our schools safe and inviting places to work and learn.  Already, $15 million has been promised to assist with this, focusing on critical areas of roofing and HVAC, initially.  We hope much more aid will follow to assist with additional needed improvements in security, athletics, and renovations to classrooms and other learning spaces.  However, keep in mind this is only one part of the puzzle and this type of funding can only be used for physical buildings.   These dollars cannot be used for salaries, classroom supplies or educational programs, which brings us to our next priority – CHOICE!

Our second step in the plan is to expand choices for ALL parents, students and teachers this upcoming school year, in ways that should only minimally impact our budget.  For example, offering more “Choice” is always exciting!  “Choice” can look like a different school calendar, where students have options to attend either, a traditional schedule, or a ‘balanced’ or year-round schedule. In fact, initial survey and Kitchen Table Conversation information revealed that several parents are interested in a year-round calendar option because of their work schedules and interest in creative solutions for blending academic, enrichment and remediation efforts.  Another “choice” could consist of a blend of online and custom face-to-face instruction.   As such, the new Granville Academy has sparked some traction, which seems to be a popular consideration for students who learn best that way. We even heard interest from students in schools across Granville County who want to attend the J.F. Webb School of Health and Life Sciences.  Thus, this school has been added to the “choice” lineup of offerings for any student in our school system.

We understand that parents have high expectations for their children and so do we.  We want GCPS positioned to respond to the needs and desires effectively and efficiently.  Therefore, we are working now to make all of these ideas and suggestions a reality in a manner that should only minimally impact our budget.  For example, we will ensure teaching positions travel where student enrollment demands.  We will also only offer choice options with proper student enrollment.  We believe options are good for all and offer opportunities for families to select what works best for their children but affordable “quality” in choice is just as important as quantity.

It is our sincere desire that Granville County Public Schools will, once again, be the FIRST choice in education for all families in our community.  By improving the quality of our school environments, expanding choices and increasing academic achievement, we plan to reverse the trend of downward enrollment.  This, in turn, will increase state and federal funding to the district.  Every student that returns to us from a charter, private school or home school generates about $5500 in lost funds.  This increase in funding can then be invested right back into the schools and programs, where it helps our students the most.  The more we grow, the more funding we will generate to improve and bring more opportunities, experiences and  “choice” into our schools.

Of course, there are many details and complicated issues to manage.  We hope you find this summary helpful in describing our strategy for how funding will impact our plans.  Further, we hope you will choose to join us in this effort.  Please support our local schools.   Join our Parent Teacher Organizations, Booster Clubs and School Improvement Teams, just to name a few.  Please volunteer today!

If interested in helping us with our new strategic plan, feel free to join us on February 22nd at 6:00 pm at the Masonic Home for Children.  Come visit and see us in action!  Also, our doors are open all month for school tours by appointment.  We look forward to serving everyone.

Thanks to all who continue to support our schools and we pledge to bring “choice” to raise student performance in the most cost-efficient way we can.  Our district leadership and Board of Education will expect no less.  Our hope is that you will join us in embracing our new motto, “Committed to Excellence and Achievement for All!”

Free, Fresh Food Distribution Thurs, Feb 15, 2018

Free, Fresh Food Distribution Thurs, Feb 15, 2018

The First Baptist Church of Henderson, NC will coordinate a fresh food distribution on Thursday, February 15 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m.  It will take place at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, located at 210 Southpark Drive, off Beckford Drive.

First Baptist volunteer Betty Boyd said, “This is the same distribution that St. James Missionary Baptist Church has organized and coordinated. They have been offering this service every other month. They asked First Baptist to partner with them to bring this food distribution to the area all year. We are excited about the opportunity to supplement food resources for around 200 families each month.”

The food distribution is open to anyone and is on a first come/first served basis.  Citizens coming to the distribution are asked to remain in their car.  Police and Sheriff’s Department personnel will direct traffic into the Farmer’s Market parking lot.

Boyd said, “The distributions that I have volunteered for with St. James Baptist have usually ended around 11:15 a.m. when they have given out all boxes. If a car has two adults, they will receive two boxes of food. We are very excited to be able to bring this supplement of fresh vegetables and fruits to our community!”

Families Living Violence Free

FLVF – Domestic Violence 101 Class Tues, Feb 13, 2018

Peggy Roark, with Families Living Violence Free, provided the following information to WIZS News:

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 101 CLASS

Tuesdays at 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Come to one class or as many as you can. If you complete all 6, you will receive a certificate of completion.

THIS WEEK: WHY DO WOMEN STAY IN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS?

Offices of Families Living Violence Free

125 Oxford Outer Loop

Oxford, NC

Call 919-693-3579 to register or register on our website www.flvf.org

Call by 4 p.m. if you need a sitter for class time.

VGCC names Farmer to lead programs

— press release courtesy VGCC

VGCC names educator to lead programs

Vance-Granville Community College recently named Delton Farmer of Durham to head three academic programs: Accounting, Business Administration and Supply Chain Management. Farmer has been a VGCC faculty member since 2007.

Farmer is a veteran of the U.S. Army, in which he served as a logistical specialist. He earned an associate degree at the University of Maryland, College Park, a bachelor’s degree at North Carolina Wesleyan College, and master’s degrees in both Business Administration and Health Administration at Pfeiffer University.

After completing six years of military service, Farmer entered the business world, working as an accountant, financial analyst and manager, primarily in the health-care and clinical research industries in the Research Triangle area. In his more than a decade at VGCC, he has taught a variety of Business Administration and Supply Chain (formerly known as Global Logistics) courses at multiple campuses and online. Farmer is also the pastor for Covenant Presbyterian Church in Durham, and he has completed his Master of Divinity degree from Shaw University.

The three curriculum degree programs that Farmer will oversee prepare students for a variety of careers in business, accounting and logistics industries. Students may complete the Business Administration and Supply Chain Management programs completely online if they choose. Supply Chain Management has two degree track options: Global Logistics Technology and Trucking Operations Management.

The VGCC Accounting program, meanwhile, was recognized as one of the ten best associate degree programs in its field across the United States by Accounting.com in 2017.

“Delton brings a wealth of real-world experience from the military and the private sector to his position, along with his many years in the classroom, educating, inspiring and supporting VGCC students,” said Angela Gardner-Ragland, VGCC’s Dean of Business and Applied Technologies. “We look forward to his leadership in continuing to grow our programs in these exciting fields that offer numerous employment opportunities for our graduates.”

For more information on the Accounting, Business Administration or Supply Chain Management programs, contact Farmer at (252) 738-3295 or farmerd@vgcc.edu.

–VGCC–

Vance County NC

Vance County Properties Committee Meeting Tues, Feb 13, 2018

The Vance County Properties Committee will meet Tuesday, February 13 at 4 p.m.  Commissioners Brummitt, Taylor and Wilder form the County Properties Committee.  They are scheduled to discuss elevator repairs in the Administration Building.  The consultant will be present.  The committee will also review several offers to purchase REO properties (Real Estate Owned).

All commissioners are invited to attend.

News 02/12/18