Sheriff Curtis Brame

Vance Sheriff Brame’s Advice To Avoid Phone Scams: “Don’t Do What I Did”

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When the phone rings, the first reaction many of us have is to anwer the call. These days, however, unless a name pops up on the screen that you recognize, perhaps the best thing to do is – let it ring. You just may avoid getting caught up in a scam.

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame wishes he had followed the advice that he so often dispensed to others about that very thing; it may have saved him the inconvenience of contacting his bank and associated credit cards.

Brame told John C. Rose in an email Wednesday about getting a call from someone who claimed to be with Duke Energy. The caller said Brame’s electricity would be cut off, “due to delinquency and not paying my bill on time.”

At the time, the sheriff was in a hospital waiting room, and was in a vulnerable state because his wife had just undergone back surgery. “I was worried, concerned, not thinking straight,” Brame wrote in the email to WIZS News. He was waiting to go in and see his wife in recovery, and what he did next is what he tells others all the time NOT to do: He furnished information to that person on the other end of the phone.

The last thing he needed, after being at the hospital with his wife, was to return home to no electricity, he said.

When he was able to get to a computer and access his account online, he realized his mistake. Of course, “I had already paid my bills on time and had a zero balance with Duke Energy,” Brame said.

The worry and concern for his wife in the hospital shifted to Brame being “furious, upset and disturbed” for being a victim of a phone scam.

Now came the hassle of contacting his bank, put it on alert and cancel his cards.

“Please, please, please, don’t do what I did,” Brame said. “They are out there, regardless of who you are.”

— The Local Skinny! Audio, Click Play —

Vance Volunteer Fire Departments Awarded More Than $140,000 Through State Grant Fund

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Six volunteer fire departments in Vance County received grant funding from a state program designed to help smaller departments purchase equipment and make capital improvements.

In addition, two departments that serve Vance and adjoining counties received funding, which brings the total to more than $140,000, according to Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen.

Fire departments send requests each year for funding from the state’s Volunteer Fire Department Fund, which distributes money in the form of grants. The grants must be matched dollar for dollar, up to $30,000.

Here’s a breakdown by department:

  • Bearpond Rural Fire Department, Inc. –  $6,630
  • Cokesbury Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. – $28,530
  • Hicksboro Fire Department – $8,115
  • Kittrell Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. – $29,968.41
  • Townsville Rural Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. – $1,328.60
  • Watkins Community Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. – $30,000

The total amount for the Vance County departments is $104,572.01, but that number climbs to $140,696.74 when grant funding to Epsom Fire Department, serving Vance and Frankin counties, is added ($11,128.12) and grant funding to Drewry, serving Vance and Warren counties, is added ($25,440.50).

Granville County received grants totaling more than $176,000 in the most recent disbursement of funds.

Fire departments in Warren County received $213,576.50 and Franklin County departments were awarded $73,454.55, according to the complete listing from N.C. Department of Insurance.

The Volunteer Fire Department Fund was created to assist North Carolina’s volunteer fire departments with purchasing equipment and making capital expenditures. It is administered through the N.C. Department of Insurance/Office of the State Fire Marshal. Eligible volunteer fire departments must be rated/certified by the N.C. Department of Insurance.

Mike Waters

Deon Patrick Bobbitt Found Guilty of Second-Degree Murder

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— press release from District Attorney Mike Waters

In Granville County Criminal Superior Trial Court during the week of August 9, 2021, Deon Patrick Bobbitt was found guilty of Second-Degree Murder, Aggravated Felony Death by Motor Vehicle, Driving While Impaired, Driving While Licensed Revoked and Careless and Reckless Driving. Mr. Bobbitt received an active sentence of 180 to 228 months in the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Division of Adult Correction (DAC).

On May 30, 2018, Mr. Bobbitt drove the wrong way on I-85 north near mile-marker 202 in Granville County. Multiple witnesses called 911 to report a van driving the wrong way in the northbound lane. Minutes later, Mr. Bobbitt crashed into Curtis Wilkerson, who was operating his car in the left lane of I-85 northbound. It was a head on collision and Mr. Wilkerson was killed. Bobbitt was impaired and not licensed to drive a motor vehicle at the time of the collision. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol investigated the case. The District Attorney’s Office was represented by Assistant District Attorneys Allison Capps and Brent Groce.

Local Departments Get More Than $176,000 From NC Volunteer Fire Department Fund

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There were lots of big checks – literally and monetarily speaking – in Granville County when a couple of state officials stopped by on Monday to leave more than $176,000 in grant funds for 11 local fire departments.

The ceremonial check presentation was held on Aug. 23 at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center, and county commissioners and representatives of the volunteer fire departments were on hand to receive the money from N.C. Insurance Commissioner/State Fire Marshal Mike Causey and Chief State Fire Marshal/Assistant Commissioner Brian Taylor, according to a press statement from Lynn Allred, county public information officer.

The grants ranged from $6,639 to $30,000 and are part of a statewide program that assists more than 500 volunteer fire departments across the state.

According to the statement, each one of the departments received 100 percent of their requests.

Here’s a breakdown by department:

  • Antioch-Fishing Creek Volunteer Fire Department, $11,000
  • Brassfield Volunteer Fire Department, $18,450
  • Bullock Volunteer Fire Department, $30,000
  • Corinth Volunteer Fire Department, $6,639.31
  • Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department, $15,927
  • Creedmoor Volunteer Fire Department, $24,737.50
  • Granville Rural Fire Department, $15,568.50
  • Providence Community Fire Department, $8,629.12
  • Stem Community Fire Department and EMS, $11,471.46
  • Total Community Fire Department of Berea, $10,454
  • Virgilina Volunteer Fire Association, $23,608.37

The Volunteer Fire Department Fund was created to assist North Carolina’s volunteer fire departments with purchasing equipment and making capital expenditures. It is administered through the N.C. Department of Insurance/Office of the State Fire Marshal. Fire departments approved for funding are required to provide a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $30,000. Eligible volunteer fire departments must be rated/certified by the N.C. Department of Insurance.

Two paid fire departments and 12 volunteer departments serve Granville County. Each department maintains and provides 24-hour fire protection services.

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TownTalk: Parolees and those on Probation Can Register to Vote in NC

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DEVELOPING…

State and local boards of elections are bound to comply with a court order issued Monday that restores voting privileges to convicted felons who are no longer incarcerated but are still on parole or probation.

Patrick Gannon, public information director for the N.C. Board of Elections told WIZS News Wednesday, “We are required to comply with court orders, so those who are (on) probation, parole, or post-release supervision are able to re-register to vote at this time.”

If the ruling stands, more than 55,000 people in North Carolina would be allowed to re-register to vote, Gannon noted. A three-judge panel of Wake County Superior Court entered a preliminary injunction Monday to restore voting rights to all North Carolinians on felony probation, parole or post-release supervision.

The ruling stems from a lawsuit Community Success Initiative v. Moore, which claimed that convicted felons who were no longer incarcerated but still on parole or probation, were unfairly denied restoration of their right to vote. Previously, convicted felons no longer in jail or prison were not allowed to register to vote if they were still on parole or probation.

Gannon said state elections board attorneys are reviewing the decision.

“If a court were to reverse the preliminary injunction, we would need to work with the department of public safety to update the felon data that we receive,” Gannon said.

It would fall to county boards of elections to perform regular list maintenance to remove ineligible voters.

Boards of elections and the department of public safety have regular voter roll list maintenance and automated checks of new registrants, Gannon said.

He said elections officials do not keep numbers of felon voters by county, so it is unclear just how many potential felon voters reside in the four-county area.

Melody Vaughan, deputy director of the Vance County Board of Elections, told WIZS News Tuesday that, as far as the upcoming municipal elections in Middleburg and Kittrell are concerned, only residents who live inside the towns’ city limits may cast ballots.

Local boards, including Vance, are waiting for guidance from the state board to allow this disenfranchised population to regain voter privileges. If and when that happens, Vaughan said individuals have until Oct. 8 to register. There is no same-day registration for the Nov. 2 elections, Vaughan said.

TOWNTALK AUDIO HERE

NC Arts Council Grant Application Open To Support Local Artists

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Listen up, local artists! The Artist Support Grant is open now for Region 4, which includes Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties.

Applications and more details are available at www.warrencountyartsnc.org. The deadline to submit applications is Sept. 30, 2021, according to information on the Warren County Arts Council website.

Whether it’s to create or update a website, attend a special training or to pay for studio recording time, this grant opportunity supports artists as they create and share their talents for others to enjoy.

Maximum grant request is $1,000.

VGCC Dr. Levy Brown

VGCC’s Brown Selected For National Leadership Fellows Program

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Dr. Levy Brown, Jr., vice president of learning, student engagement & success at Vance-Granville Community College, has been selected to participate in the 2021-22 class of Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship, a national leadership program designed to prepare the next generation of community college presidents.

Brown is one of 40 community college administrators chosen for the 10-month fellowship, which begins in November. He is one of two from North Carolina to be selected.

Nationally, almost 80 percent of community college presidents plan to retire in the next decade, according to information provided by VGCC. The Aspen fellowship program works to equip the next generation of leaders to meet the challenges of the future.

“The opportunity to be a part of the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship is something I do not take for granted,” Brown said. “I am truly humbled and grateful for the chance to develop lasting professional relationships, exchange innovative ideas and engage in deep thought about what community college excellence looks like, both now and in the future.”

Brown and the other 39 participants were selected because they share a commitment to make higher education better by being transformational leaders, according to Monica Clark, director of leadership initiatives at the College Excellence Program. “To become institutions that truly advance social mobility and talent development, community colleges must have presidents with a clear vision for equitable student success,” Clark said.

VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais said being selected is an honor for the college and for Brown, who has been with VGCC for four years.

“As an Aspen Community College Presidential Fellowship Cohort 2 participant, I know the incredible value and honor of being selected for this program,” Desmarais said in a statement to WIZS News. “On behalf of Vance-Granville Community College, I am incredibly proud that Dr. Brown has been admitted to this program and will benefit both professionally and personally from participation. Dr. Brown will be able to hone his transformational leadership skills amongst the senior fellows and incoming participant fellows in this auspicious program.”

During the program, fellows will be mentored by current and former community college presidents who have achieved exceptional outcomes for students during their careers in education. Through collaboration with the Stanford Educational Leadership Initiative, participants will learn strategies to improve student outcomes in and after college, lead internal change and create strong external partnerships with K-12 schools, four-year colleges, employers and other community partners.

Brown was vice president of student services at VGCC, and in his current role, serves as the college’s chief academic and student affairs officer. He is responsible for leading and working collaboratively with faculty and staff in the areas of academic programs, teaching and learning, student success, equity and inclusion, enrollment management, K-12 partnerships and other areas.

Before coming to VGCC, Brown was dean of arts & sciences at Lenoir Community College. He is a graduate of East Carolina University, and has a master’s degree in library science from North Carolina Central University and a doctorate in educational leadership with a focus on higher education from East Carolina University.

Sweet Finesse a Business Sweet Dream Come True

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Opening a new business can be a nerve-wracking experience. Opening a new business during a pandemic is something that Hillary Hipps-Burwell never anticipated, but she and her business partner defied the odds to realize their dream.

Sweet Finesse is a new clothing store in Henderson, and Hipps-Burwell and business partner Brittney Phipps are working hard to offer more clothing choices for the area.

The two women work in day care, and they originally thought about opening a kiddie club house. “But when COVID hit, I got to thinking: thinking what does Henderson need?” Hipps-Burwell told John C. Rose on Tuesday’s Town Talk.

Sweet Finesse carries brand names like Levi’s, Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren for males and fashion labels like Pink and Off White for females.

She said clothing at an affordable price is the goal – clothing that “people can purchase without breaking their pocket.”

Hipps-Burwell describes herself as a plus-size woman, and her vision is to offer more plus-size choices. Sweet Finesse carries women’s clothing, including casual clothes and summer dresses from size small to 5X. They also carry purses.

“I’m very honest about all the clothing we have,” she said. “I want everything to fit you and be comfortable. I want to serve the plus-size community as much as I can.”

LISTEN TO THIS FULL STORY HERE FROM TOWNTALK

Once she and Phipps get the clothing side organized, Hipps-Burwell said the plan is for her husband, Brian, to bring in a shoe department. She said he knows what buyers are interested in and current “hot” styles.

The Aug. 9 ribbon cutting was the culmination of a long process of establishing the business, Hipps-Burwell said. The first challenge was finding a suitable location, and once that happened, then the worry about opening and being able to make it when the rent kicked in. And then, once open, the worry would be possibly having to shut down again quickly because of COVID, she said.

With all those worries churning, however, they located a site – “then we had a building and couldn’t do anything with it,” she recalled, because “that’s when the world shut down.”

Finally, in true entrepreneur fashion, she said they “kind of shook it off and decided to go ahead and fill it up with clothes.”

The store has been in operation a couple of weeks now and Hipps-Burwell hopes to get the word out that they’re open for business.

The store is open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The location is 1700 Parham St., which is the former Nits, Nats building.

Hipps-Burwell laughed and said she’s had people wander in expecting to find the record store, only to browse her inventory and even make some purchases.