40 Charges in Vance County Alone Against Wesley Edward White

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Press Release — 

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office obtained warrants for the arrest of Wesley Edward White of Windsor N.C. on the 6th day of May 2021. White has been charged with forty (40) counts of Felonious Larceny of Motor Vehicle Parts and Larceny of Nonferrous Precious Metals and Felonious Breaking and Entering Larceny. All charges stem from two separate reports filed with the Sheriff’s Office by the North Carolina Department of Transportation Lot located on Gillburg Road in Vance County.

The DOT Lot is alleged to have been targeted by White on the 29th of March and again on the 20th of April 2021 during which White is accused of removing numerous catalytic converts from various vehicles on the property. White is also accused of breaking into a mechanic’s building and removing nearly $10,000 in tools and other items.

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office joined a multi-agency effort aimed at identifying the suspect responsible for similar crimes in numerous N.C. counties, all of which were reported by DOT Lots.

On Friday the 7th day of May 2021, investigators with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office traveled to Bertie County N.C., along with numerous other agencies and the N.C. SBI, at which time White was located and arrested. A search warrant was executed at White’s home in Windsor N.C. where numerous items of evidentiary value were located and seized.

White was placed in the Bertie County Jail pending his ability to secure a bond in the amount of $1,256,000. Other charges are expected over the coming weeks.

Agencies involved in this investigation include; the Vance, Craven, Nash, Johnston, Halifax, Hertford and Bertie County Sheriff’s Offices, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, the Wilson, Greenville and Tarboro Police Departments and the NC SBI.

As of the date and time of this release, the Greenville Police Department was in the process of obtaining seventy-four (74) additional Felony Warrants and seventeen (17) additional Misdemeanor Warrants on Wesley Edward White.

It has been alleged that White is responsible for the theft of catalytic converters from DOT Lots in North Carolina beginning in December of 2020 through the 7th of May of this year. Numerous locations were targeted multiple times with certain lots suffering losses on at least three separate occasions.

Coach's Corner Logo

SportsTalk 5-11-21 Scottie Richardson, Crossroads Christian

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“It’s a great day to be a Colt!” said Scottie Richardson, athletic director at Crossroads Christian after the school’s golf program won the state 1A championship by two strokes on Monday at Bryan Park-Players Course in  Greensboro.  The championship is the first athletic championship of any type ever won by the school. Two years ago Crossroads Christian was runner up in the state.  Richardson gave credit to golfing coach James Darnell. “He’s a local legend,” Richardson said. He went on to say that Darnell has to be part caddy and part psychologist as a golfing coach.

Richardson, who is also head basketball coach at the school, said all of the coaches of the school’s various athletic programs would “trash talk” with each other about which one would win the school’s first state championship but all of the coaches at the school have been very supportive of Coach Darnell and his team.

Speaking about Monday’s championship Richardson said, “It was a great atmosphere when the sun was out.” The tournament had to shut down for an hour and a half due to thunderstorms to rolled through the Guilford County area on Monday afternoon.

Richardson also acknowledged that the golf team will lose some players to graduation this year but feels that the team’s underclassmen are good enough to keep the team competitive in the coming seasons.

Representing the Crossroads Christian School Colts this year at the NCISAA Boys’ State Championship were Caden Woodward, Tyler Darnell, Merritt Cogdill and Colby Taylor.

For full details and complete audio click play.

 

 

TownTalk 5-11-21; KARTS Provides Key Service To Rural Residents

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Irene Johnson, executive director of KARTS discusses the transportation services offered by the agency, the effects of Covid-19 and the need for drivers.

Johnson stressed Kerr Area Rural Transportation Authority operates with a “safety first” approach to everything.

For Broadcast Audio Click Play. Written story below.

 

The term “public transportation” may conjure up images of crowded buses headed across a busy commercial district in a large city, but rural areas have public transportation services that help people get to medical appointments or complete errands in town.

In Vance, Franklin, Granville and Warren counties, 55 KARTS buses travel the country roads to pick up rural residents who rely on public transportation.

KARTS, or Kerr Area Rural Transportation Authority, has been serving the four-county area since 1983, said Irene Johnson, KARTS executive director. She told John C. Rose Tuesday on Town Talk that she wants to spread the word about KARTS.

Anyone who needs a ride to get a COVID-19 vaccine can ride for free, Johnson said. “We will make that possible at no cost” to the rider, she said. Just call KARTS at 252.438.2573 after scheduling the vaccine appointment.

Johnson said KARTS buses are on the road Monday through Saturday, and some drivers begin their shifts behind the wheel by 2:30 a.m. Many riders go to dialysis centers she said, and appointments there start as early as 4 a.m.

But KARTS buses take riders to Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, too. A scheduler can provide details about schedules and fare costs. Visit www.kartsnc.com for a breakdown of roundtrip fares. A roundtrip fare between 1-10 miles costs $8; a roundtrip fare between 11-20 miles is $10.

Those Around the Town shuttles that scurry throughout Vance County are KARTS buses, too. Johnson said there are designated stops for those shuttles, which generally run between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

COVID-19 restrictions created extra steps for KARTS, including sanitizing machines for the vehicles when they’re off the road, as well adding hand sanitizer stations on each bus. Masks are required to board the bus, and drivers have extras for anyone who needs one.

In addition to transporting people to their medical appointments and grocery shopping, Johnson said KARTS also takes people to work. She said at least four buses deliver workers daily to their jobs at Revlon in Oxford. Johnson estimated that those 55 buses are handling an average of 400 appointments a day, down from as many as 700 at one time.

KARTS, like many other rural transport agencies across the state, need qualified drivers. “We’re comfortable at 400 (trips), but we could use 20 drivers right now,” she said.

Drivers must be at least 21 years old and pass a background check and a drug screen.

“You’ve got to be someone who likes people,” she noted. “The easy part is being behind the wheel – you may be the only person they see all day.”

(KARTS is an advertising client of WIZS.  This article and audio are not paid ads.)

The Local Skinny! May 11 Jobs in Vance

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In partnership with the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce…Jobs in Vance on WIZS…The Chamber compiles and provides the information, and it is presented here and on the radio.

The Vance County Detention Center currently has vacancies for the position of Detention Officer.  To apply, go to the website www.vancecountysheriff.org, click on the EMPLOYMENT TAB.  Follow directions for personal history and authorized release information and deliver to the Vance County Detention Center (jail) at 516 Breckenridge Street in Henderson.  252-738-2200.

Versatrim, a local manufacturing plant in Henderson, has open positions.  They are a leading molding brand company in North America.  On Thursday, May 13th, they will be holding a job fair from 10 am – 2 pm at 599 Raleigh Road in Henderson.  Jobs are available on first and second shift.  For additional information, contact Karen Lambert at karen@versatrim.com.

Biscuitville on Dabney Drive is hiring.  Apply at biscuitville.com/careers.

Hollander Sleep Products, LLC. – job opening for Forklift Operator – 1st Shift.  Contact HR Manager at  jjvoss@hollander.com or contact NC Works at 857 South Beckford Drive, Suite G in Henderson or call NC Works 252-438-6219.

MR Williams Inc, located on Raleigh Road in Henderson – job openings for Repack Order Selector and a Delivery Driver (CDL license is not required). To apply, applicants should contact the NC Works office in Henderson at 252-438-6219.

Legacy Human Services – Substance Abuse Aide – This part-time position serves as a presence and a resource within the adult male substance abuse halfway house, as well as a role model for the residents. The main job responsibilities include driving the male residents to meetings and appointments, supervising male residents and monitoring the home the home for security, meal preparation, passing medication and other duties as assigned. Call 252-438-6700 ext 204 Laura Newton for more information.

The City of Henderson is currently accepting applications for a Meter Reader. A full listing of current job openings may be viewed online at http://ci.henderson.nc.us

Huntstone Pool/Club House Destroyed by Fire

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West of Henderson along U.S. 158 Business near Old Watkins Road, the Huntstone subdivision saw its swimming pool clubhouse destroyed Monday by fire.

Vance County Fire Chief Chris Wright said late Monday, still on the scene, that the fire call came at 4:54 a.m.  He said Watkins Volunteer Fire Department, Bearpond Volunteer Fire Department and the Vance County Fire Department responded.

Yellow tape fully encircling the building and part of its grounds was lifted one last time for the day about 6:15 p.m. when the State Bureau of Investigations team prepared to leave.  It appeared samples were being placed in sealed containers for transport to a lab.

Wright said more details were likely to emerge in the next few days.  Wright presently serves also as the Vance County Fire Marshall.

The site of the facility is very near the entrance to the subdivision and is situated along E. Waycliff Road.  Online tax records show the facility and it’s nearly two acre parcel to be owned by Huntstone Community Association, Inc. with an assessed tax value in excess of $230,000.

Timberlake Wins Art Contest With Tree Theme To Spotlight Arbor Day

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An artist with ties to the area has won a juried art contest in Chase City, VA, held in conjunction with Arbor Day.

Frank Timberlake’s “Persimmon Tree Branch” took top honors in the adult division of the art contest, held at MacCallum More Museum & Gardens to spotlight community support for trees and the town’s arbor canopy.

The subject of the winning submission is located just a few miles from the museum, Timberlake said Monday. “Persimmon Tree Branch is a small stream with looming tall trees,” he said in a written statement to WIZS News. The winning artwork features vibrant orange and yellow foliage covering the branches of a tree alongside a narrow creek, with fallen leaves dotting its surface.

The contest’s theme was “Arbor Day is Every Day in Chase City.” Artists submitted works in various media, from paintings to sculpture, all of which exemplified the importance and beauty of trees.

Timberlake is originally from Stovall and Grassy Creek in northern Granville County and operates Shutter Art Gallery in Zebulon. Visit www.shutterartgallery.com to learn more.

Although the final product looks like a painting it’s actually a photograph, thanks to a process he created called PhoArt. Timberlake begins with a high-resolution photograph, which is digitally manipulated into colorful prints using proprietary software. Each finished print is put on museum-quality canvas and comes on a gallery-wrapped frame.

Timberlake explained that, after struggling with not being able to paint pinpoint realism, he spent several years developing the special process. “Once I did, I asked myself, ‘What am I going to do with this?’” A few months later, the MacCallum More Museum and Gardens offered him a two-month, one-man art exhibit. It opened in January 2017 and Timberlake said he created nine special prints just for that exhibit.  “There’s no question that ‘Persimmon Tree Branch’ is the crown jewel of my Mecklenburg art prints,” he said.  “To return here and to have this work so honored is extremely satisfying.”

There are more than 100 works from a variety of locations and settings viewable on the website, including the contest winner. Timberlake said the limited-edition prints – signed and numbered – can be made in a variety of sizes, from small 8 x 11 canvases to 40-inch x 60-inch canvases.