Downtown Business Owners Receive Fascade Improvement Grants
— by Kaine Riggan
The Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission awarded three grants to local entrepreneurs recently. Grantees were selected through a competitive grant process to assist businesses in the downtown business district with making improvements to the overall curb-appeal of their storefronts.
Charles Bowman, a veteran local business owner, renovated the building at 117 Horner Street into an antique car showroom called Southern Classic Cars. Bowman was awarded $1710 for half the total cost of installing new awnings along the front fascade.
“We’ve invested a great deal into making the building something everyone can be proud of,” admits Bowman who has been a classic car collector for decades. “I’m proud of the city leaders and the DDC for making these incentives available to folks who are willing to invest in downtown.”
The DDC’s website (DowntownDevelopment.org) lists the guidelines and eligibility requirements for all of the incentives they offer. The fascade incentive grant can cover 50% of improvement costs up to $2500. The sign incentive grant can cover 25% of costs associated with new storefront signage.
Chef Cherie Pittman of Next Door Bistro and Chef Llew Sutton of Uncle Llew’s Restaurant & Pub received the full 25% allowable reimbursement for their new storefront signage.
Pictured are Kaine Riggan, Downtown Development Director, Cherie Pittman (Next Door Bistro), Llew Sutton (Uncle Llew’s), Charles Bowman (Southern Classic Cars) and Phil Hart, HVDDC Chair. Photo credit Mike Noel.
“Grants are reviewed monthly by committee and applications are accepted until the annual grant budget allocation is exhausted”, shared Downtown Development Director, Kaine Riggan.
Riggan also worked with downtown’s Kerr Lake Signs & Banners to design and install billboard-type signage across the fascade of the former Abigail’s Books at 405 S. Garnett Street. The property had become an eyesore since the previous owner abandoned the property allowing it to revert by due process into city and county ownership.
“Reaction has been very positive to the recent improvements,” said HVDDC Chair Phil Hart. “An attractive and thriving downtown is the life-blood of any successful city and what we are seeing is both recognition of that from city officials and support of that from a community willing to shop local first.”
In addition to awarding grants, the DDC also offers low-interest loans to bolster investment in its business district. Now in its second round of loan projects, the DDC can offer funds originally awarded through the USDA’s Revolving Loan program at a 3-6% interest rate. More information about any of these programs may be obtained at www.DowntownDevelopment.org or by calling (252) 820-9785.
Vance County Criminal Superior Trial Court Nov 6, 2017
Press Release from District Attorney Mike Waters
HENDERSON, NC- A session of Vance County Criminal Superior Trial Court was held during the week of November 6, 2017. The Honorable Robert H. Hobgood, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge, presided over the session. The District Attorney’s Office was represented by District Attorney Michael D. Waters and Assistant District Attorneys Melissa D. Pelfrey, Nicole G. Louis and David J. Erdmann. Many cases were disposed of during the session, including the following:
Trevor Bullock pleaded guilty to Attempted First Degree Statutory Sex Offense. Judge Hobgood sentenced Mr. Bullock to a 94 to 173 month active sentence in the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Division of Adult Correction (DAC). This case was investigated by the Office of Vance County Sheriff Peter White.
Quincy Champion pleaded guilty to Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury. Judge Hobgood sentenced Mr. Champion to a 40 to 60 month active sentence in the DAC. This case was investigated by Detective Alan Simmons of the Henderson Police Department under the direction of Chief Marcus Barrow.
Bryant Coleman pleaded guilty to 2 counts of Assault with a Deadly Weapon and 2 counts of Discharging a Weapon into Occupied Property. Judge Hobgood sentenced Mr. Coleman to a 60 to 84 month active sentence in the DAC, followed by another active sentence of 60 to 84 months in the DAC, followed by another 25 to 42 month active sentence, which was suspended for 36 months of supervised probation. This case was investigated by the Office of Vance County Sheriff Peter White.
Vondell Gregory pleaded guilty to trafficking in heroin and manufacturing a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school. Judge Hobgood sentenced Mr. Gregory to a 110 to 156 month active sentence in the DAC. This case was investigated by the Henderson Police Department under the direction of Chief Marcus Barrow.
Lamarius Lewis pleaded guilty to trafficking in heroin. Judge Hobgood sentenced Mr. Lewis to a 70 to 93 month active sentence in the DAC. This case was investigated by Special Agent John Rowan of ALE.
Aaliyah Miles pleaded guilty to Common Law Robbery. Judge Hobgood sentenced Ms. Miles to a 10 to 21 month active sentence in the DAC. This case was investigated by the Office of Vance County Sheriff Peter White.
The case of State of North Carolina versus Tamar Daye was called for trial. Ms. Daye is charged with First Degree Murder in the death of Corey Cheek in May of 2016. However, this case could not be tried, because an insufficient number of jurors reported for jury duty. The case was continued and is scheduled for trial in the first half of next year.
Search Results in Drug-Related Arrest and Charges
Press Release
On November 14, 2017, the Franklin County Sheriffs Office Patrol and Drug Unit along with Youngsville Police Department conducted a joint investigation which resulted in the arrest of Rodney David Milton Dalton, Sr., a Franklin County resident. The arrest was pursuant to a search warrant which was conducted at Dalton’s residence, located at 2133 Cedar Creek Rd, Youngsville, NC.
This joint investigation into illegal narcotics trafficking resulted in six felony charges: Two (2) Counts of Trafficking Marijuana, one (1) Count of Maintaining a Dwelling for the purpose of Selling, Delivering, Using and Manufacturing a Controlled Substance, one (1) Count of Manufacturing Marijuana, one (1) Count of Manufacturing/Selling/Delivering/Possessing
Marijuana within 1000 ft. of a school and One (1) Count of Possession of a firearm by a felon.
Seized during the search were 114 Marijuana plants with a street value of $232,448.00, an additional 1.5 pounds of Marijuana found in containers with a street value of $9,081.00, three (3) firearms, and a large amount of equipment used in the manufacture of controlled substance.
Rodney David Milton Dalton Sr. is currently being held in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $ 90,000 secured bond.
Rodney David Milton Dalton Sr.
VGCC Advisory Committees hold annual meetings
— courtesy VGCC
Citizens from Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties came together at the Main Campus of Vance-Granville Community College on Oct. 24 as the college’s advisory committees held their annual meetings.
VGCC’s 36 advisory committees are made up of people from the communities served by the college who have worked in the fields for which the college offers training or who can provide certain insights or expertise. Committees advise not only curriculum and continuing education programs, but also VGCC’s South, Franklin and Warren campuses, the Small Business Center and other departments. Many committee members are VGCC alumni. Each fall, these committees meet on campus with the heads of the programs they advise.
At the Oct. 24 meetings, VGCC faculty and staff communicated with advisory committee members about new developments in academic programs, about how to tailor classes and training to meet employment needs, and about changes in the workplace. Committee members made suggestions on what the college should be doing to enhance or adapt instruction.
VGCC advisory committee meetings included this gathering of the Human Services Technology Program Advisory Committee on Oct. 24 in a classroom on the college’s Main Campus. Those present included, seated clockwise from left, Yvonne Faison of Franklin County Schools, VGCC academic and career coach/counselor Veta Pierce-Cappetta, Human Services program head Tracy Wallace, Kathryn Thompson of the Vance County Department of Social Services, Human Services instructor Sharon O’Geary and student representative Larecia Bullock of Oxford. (VGCC photo)
Students in VGCC’s Culinary Arts program prepared a reception in the Civic Center, preceding the meetings. The menu had an “international” theme and included heavy hors d’oeuvres like Beef Bourgogne, Tandoori Chicken, antipasti and orzo Greek pasta salad, along with assorted desserts representing Italian, Greek, Indian and Latin American traditions.
In remarks during the reception, Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of VGCC, expressed the college’s gratitude to the advisory committee members for their service and their support. “Your input is crucial to ensuring that our college’s programs and services remain relevant to our community and to our workforce, and that we have prepared our students well to enter into their professions and to continue their higher education,” President Williams told the attendees.
–VGCC–
(VGCC is an advertising client of WIZS.)
Armed Bank Robbery
Press Release – Tuesday, November 14, 2017
On Tuesday, November 14, 2017 around 11:47 AM members of the Henderson Police Department responded to Carter Bank and Trust, 300 Dabney Drive Ext. Henderson, NC in reference to an armed robbery. Upon arrival, officers attempted to locate the suspect, but after an extensive search were unable to locate the suspect. The suspect is described as a 20-30 year-old black male; approximately 6’2” in height; with some minor facial hair on his chin. Suspect was described as wearing a black and gray hoodie. Suspect displayed a handgun and stole an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency. The Henderson Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect involved in this case. 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. Crime Stoppers offers a reward up to $2,000 for information that leads to an arrest.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow
VGCC names Burwell to direct Occupational Extension training
— courtesy VGCC
Vance-Granville Community College recently named Kyle F. Burwell of Oxford as the college’s new director of Occupational Extension and Human Resources Development (HRD). Burwell has been a member of the VGCC staff since 2006, as coordinator of HRD. She has also served as coordinator for a number of grants to the college, including grants from the USDA, the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, and the American Association of Community Colleges’ Plus 50 initiative.
In her new role, Burwell supervises HRD and prison programs as well as the various occupational extension courses, which include BioWork, Notary Public, information technology certifications and manicuring. Such courses are offered on all four VGCC campuses at various times throughout the year to meet the job training needs of the communities in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties.
Burwell holds an associate degree from Peace College (today, William Peace University) and a bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University. Prior to joining VGCC, she served as child care resource and referral director for the Franklin-Granville-Vance Partnership for Children/Smart Start. Burwell is a graduate of the VGCC Vanguard Leadership Institute and of Leadership Vance, a program of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.
Kyle Burwell (VGCC photo)
“We are excited to have Kyle in this position of leadership, as she oversees innovative programs that serve the residents and businesses of our region,” said Dr. Levy Brown, the college’s interim vice president of academic affairs. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and many years of experience to this very important role at VGCC in continuing education. I look forward to seeing Kyle continue to foster strong community partnerships.”
For more information on Occupational Extension programs, contact Burwell at burwellk@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3276.
–VGCC–
(VGCC is an advertising client of WIZS.)
Franklin County Active Shooter Training Exercise
— press release courtesy of the Office of the Franklin County Sheriff
On November 18, 2017 the Franklin County Sheriffs Office and Franklin County Emergency Management, with participation from other North Carolina law enforcement, fire, and rescue service agencies, will conduct an active shooter training exercise on the campus of Long Mill Elementary School located at 1753 Long Mill Road, Youngsville.
The planning, training, and interagency cooperation leading up to this exercise began earlier this year, with the goal to assess our response capabilities and better shape each agency’s role in the event of an active shooter incident within Franklin County. A training operation of this scale has never been conducted before in our county, in both the number of agencies and personnel involved.
Those of us working in Public Safety know that the safety of our children is one of our highest priorities. While assessing our response capabilities is a primary goal, this training exercise is the culmination of a year’s worth of hard work and dedication by all those involved with a focus on our ability to quickly and safely reunite children with their families.
Participating agencies include: Louisburg Police Department, Franklinton Police Department, Youngsville Police Department, Louisburg College Police Department, Wake County Sheriffs Office, Nash County Sheriffs Office, Vance County Sheriffs Office, Granville County Sheriffs Office, Wake Forest Fire Department, NC State Highway Patrol, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, NC Alcohol Law Enforcement, NCDMV License and Theft Bureau, Franklin County Emergency Services, Franklin County School System, and Franklin County Emergency Communications Center.
Residents and motorists will notice emergency vehicles in the area between 9am and 12pm. Law enforcement personnel will be in the area to provide traffic direction.
All media will be initially required to report to Capital Auto Auction, located at 2380 Long Mill Road, Youngsville.
Kent Winstead
Sheriff