U.S. Department of Justice

Four Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officers Indicted by Federal Grand Jury

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announces that a federal grand jury sitting in Raleigh indicted four correctional officers employed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) for making false statements surrounding three unrelated inmate deaths that occurred at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, North Carolina in 2019.

TYLER ROBISON, 41, ADAM COCKERHAM, 31, LONNIE FAIRCLOTH, 54, all of Creedmoor, and ERIC STEPHENSON, 37, of Angier, were each indicted on one count of making a false statement.

The respective indictments allege that ROBISON, COCKERHAM, and STEPHENSON, in unrelated incidents involving the death of an inmate, made false entries on government forms documenting that they had completed rounds in an inmate housing unit when they had not. FAIRCLOTH is alleged to have made a false statement to an Office of Inspector General Special Agent during the course of the investigation. If convicted, they each face up to five years imprisonment and five years of supervised release.

The charges and allegations contained in the Indictments are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted the investigation in this matter.

Town Talk 03/09/20: Local Gas Price Discussion

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FCSO: Vehicle Stop Leads to Drug Arrest of Elm City Man

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-Press Release, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

On March 5, 2020, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group arrested and charged Barrett Tyler Powell, of Elm City, NC, with multiple drug offenses.

The arrest was the result of a vehicle stop conducted by the Community Action Team (CAT) where felony amounts of marijuana and THC Isolates were found. Information gathered during the arrest led law enforcement officers to a storage unit in Wilson, NC, where US Currency and additional THC Isolates were discovered.

On March 5, 2020, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group arrested and charged Barrett Tyler Powell, of Elm City, NC, with multiple drug offenses. (FCSO photo)

Sheriff Kent Winstead stated, “Our drug enforcement initiatives continue to be focused on finding and arresting individuals that choose to push illegal drugs in our communities. We are thankful to our partners outside of Franklin County who assisted us in this case.” 

The Franklin County Special Operations Group was assisted in this investigation by the Wilson Police Department, Nash County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected. 

Barrett Tyler Powell was placed in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $60,000 secured bond. 

Barrett Tyler Powell, age 28, 5145 Overbrook DriveElm City, NC 27822 

Charges: Felony Possession of Marijuana Possess with the Intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana, Felony Possession of THC Isolate, Maintain a Vehicle for the purpose of Selling a Controlled Substance. 

For more information concerning this investigation or to report drug activity in your neighborhood, please contact Sgt. Ken Pike at (919) 496-2186.

Arthritis Exercise Class at Aycock Rec. Center Suitable for All Fitness Levels

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

The Aycock Recreation Center’s Arthritis Exercise Class is a FREE low-impact, joint-safe program developed for people with arthritis. This class, offered in partnership with the Arthritis Foundation, is suitable for every fitness level and has been proven to decrease pain and stiffness while increasing flexibility and range of motion.

Classes will be held at the Aycock Rec. Center from 2 until 3 p.m. each Wednesday and Friday, March 25 – May 22, 2020. Classes will not be held on April 10 or May 8.

Space in the class is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, with a limit of 20 participants.

For more information, please contact Crystal Allen at (252) 431-6091 or callen@ci.henderson.nc.us.

News 03/09/20

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Vance Commissioners to Recognize Fire ISO Ratings at Monday’s Meeting

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Clerk to Board/Executive Asst., County of Vance

The Vance County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, March 9, 2020, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street, Henderson.

The Invocation will be given by Pastor Bobby Fletcher, First United Methodist Church.

Agenda items:

Special Recognition – Fire Department’s ISO Ratings

1. Public Comments (for those registered to speak by 5:45 p.m. – speakers are limited to five minutes)

2. Appointment – 6:15 p.m. – Irene Johnson, KARTS Director – Activities Update

3. Appointment – 6:30 p.m. – Porcha Brooks, Tax Administrator – Untimely Exemption Applications

4. Water District Board
a. Monthly Operations Report

5. Finance Director’s Report
a. Surplus Property
b. Financing Agreement & Reimbursement Resolution – New Vehicles and Ambulance

6. County Attorney’s Report
a. REO Properties – New Offers
– 416 Harriett Street – Parcel 0091 04024 (two offers)
– 695 Adams Street – Parcel 0079 05008
– Nicholas Street Lot – Parcel 0111 03022
– 129 Henry Street – Parcel 0055 05006

7. County Manager’s Report
a. Resolution – Appointment of Review Officer
b. Surplus Property – Police Canine Sarge
c. Approval of Road Name – Cloyd Lane
d. Resolution Recognizing 100th Anniversary of 19th Amendment
e. Resolution Declaring Vance County a Constitutional Rights Protected County
f. Resolution Supporting Formation of the Triangle Trails Initiative
g. Goals for FY 2020-21
h. Established Committee Topics

8. Consent Agenda Items
a. Budget Amendments and Transfers
b. Tax Refunds and Releases
c. Ambulance Charge-Offs
d. Monthly Reports
e. Minutes

9. Closed Session
a. Economic Development Matter
b. Contract Matters
c. Personnel Matter

Click here to view current and prior Board agendas.

Henderson Police Department

HPD to Hold ‘Coffee With The Community’ Chat at Sadie’s Coffee Corner

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-Information courtesy the Henderson Police Department

Please join your neighbors, community leaders and the Henderson Police Department for a “Coffee With The Community” chat at Sadie’s Coffee Corner on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Help the HPD widen the lines of local communication by expressing your opinions and discussing concerns over coffee.

Sadie’s Coffee Corner is located at 324 S. Garnett St. in downtown Henderson.

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Henderson City Council to Meet Mon., March 9

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-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson, NC

The Henderson City Council will hold a regular meeting on Monday, March 9, 2020, beginning at 6 p.m. in the R.G. (Chick) Young, Jr. Council Chambers of the Municipal Building located at 134 Rose Avenue in Henderson, NC.

Agenda items include:

PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

a) Leadership Vance 2020 Class Recognition

PUBLIC HEARING

a) Consideration of Approval of Ordinance 20-12, Amending the Zoning Ordinance to Prohibit the Establishment of Electronic Gaming Operations in All Districts of the City.

b) Consideration of Approval of Ordinance 20-11, Amending the Zoning Ordinance to Allow Residential Duplexes in the R-20 (Low-Density Residential) District.

c) Consideration of Approval of Ordinance 20-10, Amending the Zoning Map to Rezone 1852 Highway 39 South, Vance County Tax Parcel 0094 02026 from B-4 (Neighborhood Commercial District) to R-8M (Moderate to High Density
Residential-HUD Code Home District).

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ON AGENDA ITEMS

NEW BUSINESS

a) Consideration of Approval of 1) Resolution 20-20, Dewberry Task Order for Engineering and Bidding the High Service Replacement For Regional Water; and 2) Ordinance 20-16, FY20 BA #17, Establishing a Budget for Replacement of High Service Pump.

b) Consideration of Approval of Resolution 20-18, Charles Street Traffic Island Landscaping Enhancements.

c) Consideration of Approval of Resolution 20-12, Providing for the Disposition of a Jointly Owned Property by the City and County Identified as 416 Harriett Street, Recorded in Vance County Tax Deed Book 01275 Page 0994, Further Identified as PIN #0091 04024.

d) Consideration of Approval of Resolution 20-17, Providing for the Disposition of a Jointly Owned Property by the City and County Identified as 695 Adams Street, Recorded in Vance County Tax Deed Book 1221, Page 0046, Further Identified as PIN #0069 05008.

e) Consideration of Approval of Ordinance 20-14, Authorizing the Removal or Demolition of 224 Red Bud Circle for Failure to Comply with Abandoned Structures Code.

f) Consideration of Approval of Ordinance 20-13, Directing the Code Compliance Director to Demolish the Structure at 327 West Rockspring Street for Failure to Comply with Abandoned Structure Code.

CONSENT AGENDA

a) Consideration of Approval of Resolution 20-22, Transferring Ownership of Canine (K-9) Nero to Charlene Macialek, Widow of Senior Police Officer Jeffery D. Macialek, through Contractual Agreement.

b) Consideration of Approval of Resolution 20-19, Approving the Bundling of City-Owned Real Estate for Offers Under Requests for Proposals.

c) Consideration of Approval of Ordinance 20-15, Establishing Two Reserved Parking Spaces in the Orange Street Parking Lot for Visitors to the Henderson-Vance County Economic Development Commission Offices.

d) Consideration of Approval of Resolution 20-21, Adopting the Financial Model Developed by Stantec for the Kerr Lake Regional Water System.

e) Consideration of Approval of Tax Releases and Refunds from Vance County for the Month of January 2020.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

REPORTS

WORK SESSION
a) Consideration of Resolution 20-23, Proposed Henderson Pavement Overlay Project 2020.

ADJOURNMENT

Click here to view previous and current Henderson City Council meeting agendas and minutes. 

USTA Grants will Aid in Construction of Tennis Courts at Granville Athletic Park

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

Funding through the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) and USTA Southern has been made available to assist in the construction of new tennis courts at Granville Athletic Park (GAP). Six 78-foot tennis courts – with options for play on three 60-foot and four 36-foot courts – are included in the expansion plans for Phase III of the park, which is already the largest recreational area in the county.

Applications for funding were submitted in September of 2019 in partnership with the County’s former Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (now the Parks, Greenways and Recreation Advisory Committee) and the Oxford Community Tennis Association. Award notifications were recently made for a $50,000 grant through the USTA and $20,000 from USTA Southern, making $70,000 available towards the construction of full-sized tennis courts and the installation of striping for playing surfaces of varying sizes.

“The mission of USTA Southern is to promote and develop the growth of tennis in our nine southern states,” said Bonnie Vandergrift, USTA Southern’s CEO and President. “We are also pleased to be able to provide funding through our Build It Forward facility assistance grant to help Granville County build six new tennis courts. These courts will help Granville County expand its programming to youth and adults.”

Expected use includes tournament play for athletic associations and tennis clubs, as well as providing access for local high schools’ practice and play. Three of the courts will be lighted for evening use, extending opportunities for tennis enjoyment. The Oxford Community Tennis Association, which hosts tournaments, clinics and summer leagues, also has plans to make use of these new courts.

“These tennis courts will greatly enhance what the county already has in place,” said Betty Lou Davis of Granville County’s  Parks, Greenways and Recreation Advisory Committee and the Oxford Community Tennis Association. “USTA funding means that our courts will be USTA-sanctioned, attracting a broader spectrum of tennis players from outside the county, increasing the number of visitors to our area. Plus, we are excited that our schools will have a new, safe place to play.”

Granville Athletic Park’s Phase III expansion will sit on 11 acres of land that Granville County acquired in 2013 and will join the existing park – Phases I and II – which now totals 68.5 acres. Upon completion, Phase III will make the GAP an 80-acre park. In addition to tennis courts, the new section of the GAP will include inclusive and accessible playground equipment, a picnic shelter, an additional ¼ mile paved walking trail, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and open activity space.

The goal of this project is to encourage healthy activity and to provide safe, appealing and functional tennis environments to a wide variety of groups. Granville County’s Board of Commissioners voted to officially accept this grant funding at their Feb. 17 meeting.

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Warren County Public Health Staff Stress Prevention for COVID-19

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-Press Release, Warren County Government 

Warren County public health staff are advising citizens to take the same precautions they would normally take for the flu or any other respiratory illness in response to concerns about COVID-19 (also being called coronavirus).

Some of these prevention measures include washing your hands frequently with soap and water, disinfecting touched objects and surfaces, and staying home if you are sick.

Staff at the Warren County Public Health Department and Warren County Emergency Services are working together and taking direction from the federal and state government in regard to COVID-19. The NC Division of Public Health has a weekly call for local health departments, and the Warren County Health Department is following the protocol process that is set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the NC Department of Public Health.

Warren County Emergency Services is actively participating with NC Office of Emergency Medical Services and NC Emergency Management in receiving regular updates. Emergency Services is also working with E-911 on the protocol for call intake in regard to COVID-19.

The Warren County Health Department Epidemiology (Epi) Team works together when communicable disease issues arise that could impact our community. Staff have been meeting regularly to address protocol involving COVID-19. The Health Department is not passing out masks to the public. If you think you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, the flu, or any other respiratory illness, please contact your doctor.

Most importantly, while the importance of preventative measures is stressed to combat any communicable disease (not just COVID-19), Public Health and Emergency Services staff are urging citizens not to panic and reassuring the community that Warren County healthcare and emergency professionals have the proper protocols in place to handle the concerns involving COVID-19.

For more information, please contact Public Health Director Dr. Margaret Brake at (252) 257-6000.