Connect NC Bond renovation projects at VGCC planned for 2018

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— courtesy VGCC

Vance-Granville Community College is gearing up to begin renovations that will improve masonry rooflines, walls and bridges at the Main Campus using the funds allocated by the Connect NC State Bond.

Renovations to restore, repair and waterproof masonry will be placed out for bids in April with work scheduled to begin in May, according to a report delivered to the VGCC Board of Trustees at its bimonthly meeting on Monday, Jan. 22.

Trustee Donald C. Seifert, Sr., chair of the board’s Building Committee, reported that funding will come from $1 million of the funds allocated by the Connect NC Bond passed by North Carolina voters in March 2016. A remaining balance of $69,000 from county resources that has been used for structural renovations to roofs and masonry will also be available for the project.

Bids will be going out in March for the renovation of 3,200 square feet of space in the college’s newest building, Building 10, to accommodate a practical simulation lab for the Basic Law Enforcement Training, Fire/Rescue and Emergency Medical Services programs housed there. Connect NC bond money will be combined with a private donation to complete the project. The renovation may provide an opportunity for the college to expand the training it offers for public services.

At the Franklin Campus in Louisburg, the Welding Technology lab is being renovated to add eight welding booths with plans to complete that project this month. A demonstration area in a Welding classroom, adjacent to the lab, will be renovated and ready for use this summer. This project is being funded with Connect NC bond money.

In a general discussion on the college’s services to the community, Dr. Stelfanie Williams, VGCC’s president, cited efforts to help area business and industry.

For example, she noted, the college met with leaders of a new industry, Mako Medical Laboratories, to address their educational needs.

The college will begin meeting the needs of the newly announced industry through its Histotechnology and Medical Assisting curriculum programs, she said, with plans to add a Medical Laboratory Technology curriculum.

Mako, a Wake County-based medical diagnostic testing company, announced in November a decision to expand with the location of a facility in Henderson and the eventual creation of more than 150 jobs. The company is locating in the former Harperprints building with an initial 30 to 50 jobs, according to the announcement last fall.

“Our Histotechnology and Medical Assisting programs will be a great start for them,” she added. “We’ve been able to sit down with them. We had about 10 of our employees with the college meet with their senior leaders and talk about how they are going to grow and how Vance-Granville can serve them.”

“It’s a great company,” she added. “I think we are very fortunate to have them.”

In other action:

• In her report to the board, Dr. Williams highlighted recent accomplishments and opportunities at the college, citing in particular recent efforts of VGCC’s Pharmacy Technology students leading service projects to provide relief to people in the Caribbean who were affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria and a partnership with police and a pharmacy in Creedmoor for a drug collection event for people to dispose of outdated and unused prescription drugs. Similarly, Dr. Williams noted, college students collected school supplies and books for children affected by domestic violence, citing a service project by the Alpha Sigma Chi chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

• The board gave approval to Mid-Year Amendments to the 2017-2018 Budget as presented by Trustee Abdul Rasheed, chair of the Budget Committee. The adjustments were made to account for $1,834,568 in carryover funds from the previous year and grant funding.

• In the reports of the Curriculum Committee, chaired by Trustee Barbara Cates Harris, approval was given to a course to be offered at correctional facilities in Butner, Bunn and Manson, and an Accountability and Integrity Plan for Workforce Continuing Education was approved by the board.

• Trustee L. Opie Frazier, Jr., chair of the board’s Investment Committee, reported on continued growth of the college’s investments.

• An informational report on new employees, retirements, resignations and changes in positions was provided by Trustee Sara Wester, chair of the board’s Personnel Committee.

Board of Trustees Chair Danny W. Wright presided over the meeting.

The Board of Trustees will hold its next regular meeting on March 19 at the Main Campus.

— VGCC —

News 01/25/18

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Kittrell Man Sentenced for Felon in Possession of a Firearm Charge

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— courtesy The United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of NC

(For Full Release Click Here)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Kittrell Man Sentenced for Felon in Possession of a Firearm Charge

RALEIGH – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that today in federal court, United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle sentenced JOHNNIE O’NEIL LEWIS, 35, of Kittrell, North Carolina to 60 months of imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.

LEWIS was named in an Indictment filed on August 8, 2017. On October 18, 2017, LEWIS subsequently pled guilty to being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition.

On June 1, 2017, the Henderson Police Department (HPD) responded to a call regarding an intoxicated individual, later determined to be LEWIS, who was shooting a gun in a residential neighborhood of Henderson. The HPD encountered LEWIS, a convicted felon, walking in the middle of the roadway, holding his hand near his waistband. LEWIS was observed with his hand on a pistol in his waistband and was issued repeated commands to stop moving; however, LEWIS failed to comply with the directives and fled on foot. A brief foot chase ensued, but officers were able to apprehend LEWIS without further resistance.

Upon his arrest, the HPD located a pistol approximately twenty feet from where LEWIS was arrested. Additionally, a handgun magazine was lying on the ground next to LEWIS, who also had thirteen rounds of ammunition in his shorts pocket. At the time of his arrest, the HPD smelled a strong odor of alcohol on LEWIS’ breath.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

The Henderson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the criminal investigation of this case. Assistant United States Attorney S. Katherine Burnette handled the prosecution of this case for the government.

Granville Crime Stoppers

Granville County Crime Stoppers Jan 2018 Crimes of Month

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TO: News Media

FROM: Granville County Crime Stoppers

DATE: January 24th, 2018

SUBJECT: BREAK & ENTERING/LARCENY/VANDALISM

Sometime between Wednesday, October 26th, 2017 and Tuesday, November 8th, 2017 an unknown person or persons unlawfully went upon private property of a residence located off Winston Way, Creedmoor, NC and forced entry, which caused criminal property damage. A 55” Samsung flat screen television was criminally removed from the property.

Sometime between Saturday, December 17th and Monday, December 19th, 2017 an unknown person or persons unlawfully went upon private property off Maple Lane, Stem, NC and criminally removed a Smith and Wesson semi-automatic handgun and ten rounds of ammunition from the glove compartment of a vehicle.

If you have information concerning these incidents, please contact the Granville County Sheriff’s Office at 919-693-3213 or call Crime Stoppers 919-693-3100.

THE GRANVILLE COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS AUTHORIZED THE PAYMENT OF A REWARD OF UP TO $1,000 FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST/INDICTMENT(S) OF PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE CRIMES. IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION CONCERNING THESE CRIMES OR ANY OTHER SERIOUS CRIME(S) IN GRANVILLE COUNTY. YOU ARE ASKED TO CALL THE GRANVILLE COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS IN OXFORD AT 919-693-3100.

$5,000 Reward Offered On Louisburg Murder Case

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— courtesy of NC State Bureau of Investigation and the NC Department of Public Safety

(For the Full Release Click Here)

YOUNGSVILLE – Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two masked men responsible for the murder of 21-year-old Devin Christopher Bilodeau on Sept. 23, 2017, during a home invasion in Youngsville.

Just before 11 p.m., two armed men broke into a home at 26 Amandas Way and fatally shot Bildoeau. Several people were home at the time. The men ran on foot towards new home construction in the Holden Young subdivision in Youngsville.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation are seeking help in identifying the two men responsible for Bilodeau’s murder.

Anyone with information about the home invasion or the gunmen are urged to call 919-496-7867. Callers to Crime Stopper’s Tip Line do not have to give their name.

For a reward poster, click here.

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VGCC hosts lecture series on the brain

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— courtesy VGCC

Vance-Granville Community College will offer a series of free, engaging lectures on the human brain, and the community is invited to attend.

Phil Dixon, a resident of Oxford, will present the series, entitled “Using Your Brain for a Change,” starting with the first session on Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, in the small auditorium in Building 2 on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County. In this introductory lecture, Dixon will take a look at how the brain works generally and what it is made of.

In his later talks, Dixon will focus on “Your Brain on its Own” on Tuesday, Feb. 27, and “Your Brain with Another Person” on Tuesday, March 27. These sessions will also begin at 10:30 a.m. in the small auditorium.

Dixon describes himself as being “passionate about the brain – everyone’s brain!” He spends much of his time reading the latest research about the neuroscience of the brain, and determining how that research can be translated into practical application in our daily lives. In particular, Dixon is deeply involved in the application of neuroscience to leadership and management issues such as Executive Coaching, Leadership and Management Development, Change Planning & Management, Culture Change, Recruitment and On-Boarding.

Before he began studying and teaching others about the brain in 2002, Dixon worked in the information technology field – including a stint at Apple – worked in organization development and management consulting, and was the CEO of a commercial real estate firm. He has worked in the private and public sectors, has established and grown a number of consulting firms and has lived, worked and/or taught in over 20 countries.

In 2009, he had the opportunity to study for a master’s degree in Consulting and Coaching for Change in England at a program run jointly by HEC Paris and Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford. He has published several articles about the brain, and is a frequent and international speaker on the topic of brain-based leadership.

The series of three sessions is presented by VGCC’s Office of the Endowment. “We were excited to be introduced to this gentleman who has this expertise and vast experience and to discover that he is now living in the local area,” explained VGCC Endowment Director Eddie Ferguson. “Our Endowment Office sees this as another great opportunity for the college to be a valuable resource to the community we serve. We invite our students, our faculty and the community at large to join us for Phil’s fun, informative presentations.”

In the past, the Endowment Office has sponsored two series with Bill Barker portraying Thomas Jefferson.

For more information on this series, call Eddie Ferguson at (252) 738-3264.

–VGCC–

(VGCC is an advertising client of WIZS.)

Home and Garden Show 01/23/18

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Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

2018 Vance County Regional Farmers Market Advisory Board Meeting Dates

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Advisory Board for the Vance County Regional Farmers Market will meet on the following dates in 2018: February 8, May 10, August 9 and November 8. All meetings will convene at 2 pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, which is located at 210 Southpark Drive in Henderson. The meetings are open to the public. For more information, please contact Paul McKenzie at 252-438-8188 or paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu.

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Paul McKenzie
Agricultural Extension Agent, Vance/Warren Counties
NC Cooperative Extension
305 Young St., Henderson, NC  27536
158 Rafters Ln., Warrenton, NC 27589
https://www.ces.ncsu.edu
252.438.8188 (Vance)  252.257.3640 (Warren)
@pgmckenzie

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Families Living Violence Free

FLVF: 6-Week Domestic Violence Class Begins Feb 6, 2018

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— courtesy FLVF

Families Living Violence Free has another six-week class on domestic violence.  Beginning February 6, 2018 on Tuesdays from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m.

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

It will take place at the offices of Families Living Violence Free at 125 Oxford Outer Loop, Oxford, NC.

Call 919-693-3579 to register or register online at www.flvf.org.  Call by 4 p.m. if you need a sitter for class time.

WEEK ONE: UNDERSTANDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: POWER & CONTROL

Objectives:

  • To understand what domestic violence really means
  • To learn the different types of domestic violence
  • Why some people are abusive
  • How abusers gain control

Peggy Roar

Adult & Empowerment Services

Sexual Assault Advocate & PREA Coordinator

Families Living Violence Free

125 Oxford Outer Loop Road

PO Box 1632

Oxford, NC 27565

Email: Proark@flvf.org

Office: 919-693-3579

Crisis: 919-693-5700

Hispanic Crisis 919-690-0888

Franklin County Schools

Grant Provides Franklin County Middle School Students Opportunity in Agriculture Education

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Louisburg, North Carolina – January 24, 2018 – Franklin County Schools is one of fourteen school districts to receive a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Grade Expansion Grant. The grant gives sixth and seventh-grade students the opportunity to focus on career exploration at an early age.

This grant allows Franklin County Schools to hire an Agriculture Education teacher to teach exploratory courses in Agricultural Science and Biotechnology in Agriculture to sixth and seventh graders at Cedar Creek Middle School. Students will receive a firm foundation in the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resource Career Cluster. They can continue their experiences at Franklinton High School, which currently houses Animal Science, Horticulture and Environmental Science, Vance Granville Community College Career College Promise (CCP) Courses and further studies at the four-year institutions of Mount Olive University, North Carolina Agricultural Technical State University, and North Carolina State University.

The grant was made possible by a new initiative enacted by the General Assembly and in collaboration with the North Carolina Education and Workforce Innovation Commission. The State Board of Education approved individual grants of up to $50,000 to each district including Franklin County. The district is eligible for additional funding for up to seven years and will receive priority in succeeding funding cycles.

The CTE Grant Expansion Grant team consisted of CTE Director Laureen G. Jones, Middle School Career Development Coordinator Elaine Webb, Cedar Creek Middle School Principal Bart Elliott, and Franklinton High School Agriculture teachers Sarah Harkey and Tommy Kemp.

Mrs. Jones and Mr. Elliott are excited about this new position in the district. This position is currently posted on the Franklin County Schools jobs website. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply.

Michelle Fiscus
Director of Communications
Franklin County Schools
53 West River Road
Louisburg, NC 27549