U.S. Department of Justice

Butner Federal Inmate Sentenced to 30 Months for Weapons Possession

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

An inmate housed at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, North Carolina (“FCC Butner”) was sentenced yesterday to 30 months of incarceration for possessing weapons inside the federal prison.

According to court documents, Gerald Wayne Timms, 59, was found by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (“BOP”) staff to be in possession of multiple homemade sharpened objects on two separate occasions in May 2019 and again in September 2019.

BOP staff found the weapons inside Timms’ assigned cell during routine searches. Timms was charged by way of a two-count indictment for violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1791, possession of contraband in prison. On February 19, 2020, a jury found Timms guilty of both counts. Timms received 30 months on each count to be served concurrently.

Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. BOP Special Investigative Services investigated the case and Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mallory Brooks Storus, Genna D. Petre, and Michael Bredenberg prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the U.S. Department of Justice’s website. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:19-cr-00428-FL.

NC State Board of Elections

Advocacy Group Sends Invalid Absentee Ballot Request Forms to 80,000 NC Voters

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-Press Release, NC State Board of Elections

The State Board of Elections has learned that a voter advocacy group mailed about 80,000 absentee ballot request forms to North Carolina residents with voters’ information already filled out on the forms.

A state law passed last year prohibits election officials from accepting absentee ballot request forms pre-filled “partially or in whole,” and the State Board has instructed county boards of elections not to process such request forms.

The advocacy group, The Center for Voter Information (CVI) in Washington, D.C., halted additional mailings with pre-filled voter information after N.C. elections officials informed the group of the issue.

CVI plans to send about 400,000 additional mailings to N.C. residents, but they will include blank absentee ballot request forms, which are valid.

County boards of elections that receive an invalid absentee request form will send a letter to the voter informing them of the issue. The letter will include a blank request form for the voter to return.

The State Board urges voters to discard any absentee ballot request form they receive that includes pre-filled voter information.

CVI asked State Board staff to review a sample mailing in April, and State Board staff did not catch the pre-filled forms at that time. However, CVI sent some mailings before forwarding the final product to elections officials for review. Election officials discovered the issue after these mailings were sent to voters.

“We will do our best to review mailings and other voting information distributed by third parties when requested and when resources allow for it,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the N.C. State Board of Elections. “However, it’s ultimately up to advocacy groups to ensure their mailings do not confuse voters or potentially affect their ability to vote in an election.”

All registered voters in North Carolina may request an absentee by-mail ballot. The official 2020 State Absentee Ballot Request Form is available for download from the State Board website. Voters may also pick up a request form from their county board of elections or call their county board to request a form.

For the November 3 general election, the deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is October 27. Voters may request a ballot now. Starting in early September, ballots will be mailed to voters who request them.

Paint With DP

H-V Rec & Parks to Host Virtual Bingo, Second ‘Paint With DP’ Session w/ Prize

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-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Program Superintendent

The Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department will have Virtual Bingo for Seniors, ages 55 or better, on Thursdays during the months of June and July. You will be able to join Virtual Bingo by computer or phone.

Participants must contact Crystal Allen at (252) 431-6091 (callen@ci.henderson.nc.us) by Thursday, June 11, 2020, to register for the Bingo scheduled for Thursday, June 18. Participants have the option to register for all the scheduled Bingo sessions at once.

Heather Tabor, pictured with her painting, was the winner of the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Park Department’s “Paint with DP” May contest. (Photo courtesy H-V Rec. & Parks)

Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks will also have another FREE “Paint With DP” Facebook Live Session. The Live session will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2020, at 2 p.m. on the Henderson-Vance Athletics Facebook page (click here).

Tune in to participate or just watch.

You can purchase affordable painting materials at Walmart, Ollie’s or Dollar General. Once we have completed painting, participants can send pictures of their masterpieces. The best painting will receive a $25 gift card.

May’s “Paint with DP” winner was Heather Tabor.

For more information, contact Darius Pitt at dpitt@ci.henderson.nc.us or 252-438-3408.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

COVID-19 Update: 631 Granville, 391 Vance Cases; Related Deaths Climb to 45

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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

As of June 10, 2020, there are 631 known COVID-19 cases in Granville County, 391 cases in Vance County, and 38,171 confirmed cases in North Carolina.

There are four outbreaks at congregate living facilities in the district – one at Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, NC; one at Murdoch Development Center in Butner, NC; one at Pelican Health in Henderson, NC; and one at Kerr Lake Nursing Home in Henderson, NC.

Of the total positive cases in each county, 375 in Granville County are associated with the prisons, 5 are associated with Murdoch, 58 in Vance County are associated with Pelican Health nursing home, and 38 are associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home.

Of the 251 community-based cases in Granville County, 125 have been released from isolation and 8 are hospitalized.

Of the 375 cases in the prison system, 84 have been released from isolation and one case at Murdoch has been released from isolation.

Of the 295 community-based cases in Vance County, 133 have been released from isolation.

Of the 96 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 41 have been released from isolation.

6 individuals in Vance County are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 45 deaths in the health district – 31 in Vance County and 14 in Granville County of which 13 are with the Bureau of Prisons in Granville County.

GVPH updates its website daily at approximately 5 p.m. with Vance and Granville COVID-19 statistics. Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information.

GVPH also emails updates about COVID-19 in Granville and Vance counties each evening. You can sign up to receive these emails at www.gvph.org/covid-19. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and complete the form.

Franklin County Logo

Franklin County Public Utilities Addresses May/June Water Billing Cycle

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-Press Release, Franklin County Government

Franklin County Public Utilities has received some questions regarding the May and June billing cycles. Due to COVID-19 safety procedures and Executive Order 124 issued by Governor Roy Cooper, Franklin County Public Utilities did not read water meters for the May billing cycle.

Most customers were only billed the base fee for the May billing and any usage above the minimum was included on the June billing. The base fee for water-only accounts is $30 and the base fee for accounts with both water and sewer is $65. 

The May billing cycle included service for the period from March 16, 2020, through April 15, 2020. Franklin County Public Utilities only billed for the base fee of 0-2,000 gallons, even if your usage was more than 2,000 gallons. A flyer was included with the billing to notify customers of this change. 

Franklin County Public Utilities staff read water meters for the June billing cycle which included service from April 15, 2020, through May 14, 2020, and any usage in excess of 2,000 gallons from the May billing was detected with this reading and included on the June billing. 

If you have any questions, please contact customer service at (919) 556-6177. Franklin County Public Utilities Department apologizes for any confusion that this may have caused.

Granville County Chamber of Commerce

Granville Co. Chamber: Participants Needed for 2020-21 Leadership Granville Program

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Granville County Chamber of Commerce

As the Granville County Chamber of Commerce looks to the future and continues to address the uncertainties we may face in the coming months, it is a great moment to remind all citizens of the opportunities provided to inquiring minds as a participant in the 31st Leadership Granville Class.

Individuals with a sincere and genuine interest in future service to the community and those who have demonstrated commitment by previous community activities are encouraged to apply. 

The program provides an education on various facets of Granville County, and all graduates have praised the program for presenting many aspects of our county. Individuals interested in assuming leadership positions within their organization and/or community will find the knowledge gained in the program to be an asset.

Class sessions are tentatively set to begin mid-September 2020 and end with graduation in early April 2021. The program consists of approximately twenty sessions. The length of the sessions varies from daylong to half-day and some evenings.

Session highlights include leadership assessment and development, personal and group dynamics, county history, city-county-state governments, education, the arts, agriculture, economics-industry-small business, health services and volunteer agencies, human services, community support, tourism, judiciary and law enforcement, visiting manufacturers, farm, industries, businesses, etc.

Sponsored by the Granville County Chamber of Commerce, Granville County Public Schools and Vance-Granville Community College, Leadership Granville offers citizens of Granville County the opportunity to acquire knowledge of the community and develop their leadership potential. It offers new citizens an opportunity to become personally and professionally acquainted with county structure and life, which can benefit their present and future leadership.

The Chamber remains committed to providing a quality program filled with content and experience. As the Steering Committee and the Chamber address the changes created by today’s environment, the Chamber is seeking a response from all county citizens who may have an interest in the 2020 – 2021 Leadership Granville Program.

Interested individuals should contact one of the Chamber’s office locations – 124 Hillsboro Street in Oxford/Wanda, 919.693.6125, wanda@granville-chamber.com or 1598 Highway #56, Butner-Creedmoor/Toni Anne, 919.528.4994, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com to request an interest flyer for the 2020 – 2021 year. 

Local News Audio

WIZS Local News at Noon 6/10/20

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WIZS – Your Community Voice
Local News at 8am, 12pm, 5pm; M-F
1450 AM / 100.1 FM / wizs.com

Local News for June 10, 2020 at noon

  • Maria Parham Health open for visitors again
  • Dr. Andrea L. Harris, proclamation by the City of Henderson

 

Vance County Schools Logo

Vance County Schools Approves 2020-21 Calendars, Applies for K-12 Fully Remote Option

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-Information courtesy Vance County Schools

2020-2021 Vance County Schools Calendars Approved

Vance County Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the 2020-2021 calendars, reflecting the current requirements, as passed by the general assembly, including five remote learning days.

The early start calendar will begin for students on July 31, 2020, and end on May 21, 2021.

The year-round calendar will begin for students on July 31, 2020, and end on June 11, 2021.

Traditional calendars will start for students on August 17, 2020, and end on June 2, 2021.

The total number of days in the calendar is the same length as previous years, just allocated to include the remote learning days. Check out the VCS website (click here) to view the calendars in more detail.

Vance Virtual Village Academy

Vance County Schools wants to ensure that there is a place for every student to learn. As discussion of the 2020-2021 school year begins, the uncertainties for many families remain.

VCS has applied for a new LEA code through the NC Department of Public Instruction for Vance Virtual Village Academy (V3). This school is designed for grades K-12 and will be a fully remote option for those families that feel this is the best option for their child. The school is designed as a place “WHERE WE VALUE connectedness, engagement,
and equity.”

V3 will offer a variety of activities that serve all types of learning styles. The premise is that all teachers will need to consider Universal Design for Learning (UDL) when planning both their synchronous and asynchronous instruction, working to increase access to learning by reducing physical, cognitive, intellectual, and organizational barriers to
learning whenever possible.

At this time, VCS awaits approval from the state to move forward with V3.

Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health Eases Visitor Restrictions

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health announced yesterday that it is transitioning from a zero-visitor protocol to limited visitor restrictions as the hospital gradually resumes elective and non-urgent cases and services at its facilities.

The decision was made as current projections continue to indicate a lower than expected volume of COVID-19 in the region and after careful review of state and federal guidance. The updated restrictions, which will now allow most patients to have one visitor or support person per day, have been implemented effective immediately.

“Our hospital’s top priority is safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our patients, providers, employees and community,” said Bert Beard, chief executive officer (CEO) of Maria Parham Health. “We continue to monitor closely the prevalence of the virus in our community as we adapt our operations to safely care for and support our patients, and we feel confident that it is safe to begin allowing limited visitors again at this time.”

As part of the updated visitor restrictions, patients are now limited to one well visitor per day, including one companion for outpatient appointments and one support person for obstetric patients. All visitors must be 18 years of age or older, will be screened upon entry and are required to wear a mask and an armband/sticker while in the facility.

Visitors who do not pass the screening at entry will be asked to reschedule their visit until they are symptom-free. Visitors are not allowed for high-risk, isolation, immunocompromised or patients who are under observation or test positive for COVID-19.

Maria Parham Health continues to screen everyone who enters the facility for symptoms consistent with COVID-19, per CDC guidelines. For additional updates on how the hospital is working to maintain a safe and supportive environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit mariaparham.com.

Granville County Logo

Granville Commissioners to Review Public Comments on Proposed Budget – June 11

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-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Board, Granville County

NOTICE OF REMOTE MEETING

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet remotely by Zoom conference call on Thursday, June 11, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. or shortly after to continue their recessed meeting from Monday, June 1, 2020.

The Board will review any public comments submitted for the public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2020-2021 budget that was submitted by the deadline of June 2, 2020, at 8 p.m. Click here to view the proposed budget in its entirety.

After the regular meeting is adjourned on June 11, the Board will then hold a budget workshop that was previously scheduled for June 4, 2020.

In order to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting may be accessed by utilizing the link and/or phone number included below.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://granvillecounty.zoom.us/j/95633920786?pwd=UFdLSzR5djVWS2ZJbmZFNzZGb3UvQT09

Dial by your location

877 853 5247 US Toll-free

888 788 0099 US Toll-free

Meeting ID: 956 3392 0786

Password: 396992