Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Second Thursday Food Distribution to be Held at VCRFM on Oct. 11

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-Information courtesy Betty Boyd

The Second Thursday Food Distribution will be held at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market off Beckford Drive in Henderson on Thursday, October 11, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. No identification is required.

Participants remain in their vehicles and volunteers place food boxes in vehicle. This is a partnership of St. James Missionary Baptist Church, First Baptist Church and the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC and is offered to supplement the food resources of Vance County citizens.

Please contact Betty Boyd at (252) 432-3967 if you would like to volunteer or have questions.

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Warren County Logo

Warrenton Christmas Parade Set for Dec. 8; Parade Entry Forms Now Available

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-Information courtesy Butch Meek, Rotary Club of Warrenton

The Rotary Club of Warrenton announces that they are partnering with the Town of Warrenton as civic sponsors of the 2018 Christmas Parade to be held Saturday, December 8, 2018, at 5 p.m.

This year’s theme is “Be the Inspiration.” Rotary is asking parade participants to showcase how their organization is involved with environmental issues that affect health and welfare both locally and around the world. Participants in the parade are encouraged to show how they are providing inspiration in their communities. Cash prizes will be awarded to the best floats.

Entries will be judged December 8 at 5 p.m. The parade rain date is set for Sunday, December 9. Parade entry forms can be obtained from the Town Hall located at 133 South Main Street or from Tar Heel Tire Company, or visit the Warrenton Festivals page on FaceBook.

U.S. Navy Band to Perform at Louisburg College

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-Press Release, Kayla Turnbow, Navy Office of Community Outreach

America’s Navy is coming to Louisburg, North Carolina, one of 19 cities in four states to host a performance by the United States Navy Band during its 2018 tour — one of the signature outreach programs of the U.S. Navy.

The U.S. Navy Band Commodores jazz ensemble performance is scheduled for October 25, 2018, at 7:30 p.m. at Louisburg College’s Seby B. Jones Performing Arts Center.

(Photo Credit: Navy Office of Community Outreach)

Jazz is America’s music and the Commodores, the Navy’s premier jazz ensemble, has been performing the very best of big band jazz for the Navy and the nation for almost 50 years. They have appeared on TV shows, played nearly all major jazz festivals and toured across the United States and abroad. This vibrant, dynamic group is constantly striving for musical excellence and the pursuit of new and exciting ways to communicate with their audiences.

One of the U.S. Navy Band’s primary responsibilities involves touring the country. All of the band’s primary performing ensembles embark each year on concert tours throughout specified regions of the country, allowing the band to reach audiences in areas of the country that do not have opportunities to see the Navy’s premier musical ensembles on a regular basis. The concerts are family-friendly events, entertaining to veterans, families, individuals and those interested in joining the Navy.

All Navy Band performances are free and open to the public.

Warrenton Revitalization Committee to Host First Harvest Pie Competition

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-Information courtesy the Warrenton Festivals Facebook page

The Warrenton Revitalization Committee is hosting our first ever Harvest Pie Competition during this year’s annual Harvest Market Festival on Saturday, October 13! The categories include apple, sweet potato, pumpkin and pecan pies.

We will be accepting entry forms at the festival from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Judging will take place around 2 p.m. and cash prizes will be awarded, amounts to be determined.

We have added a youth division to make the competition more accessible to kids and teenagers who want to participate. We have edited the registration form with”Adult” and “Youth” boxes. The form may be printed from the Warrenton Festivals Facebook page by clicking here.

We hope to see you there!

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News 10/03/18

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U.S. Department of Justice

Help Florence Victims, NOT Scammers

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— courtesy of The United States Department of Justice and The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina

Department of Justice Reminds the Public to Be Aware of Fraud When Disaster Strikes and Report it to the National Center for Disaster Fraud – (866) 720-5721

RALEIGH – The Department of Justice established the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, when billions of dollars in federal disaster relief poured into the Gulf Coast region, which opened opportunities for criminals to exploit people during vulnerable times. The NCDF, a national coordinating agency within the Department’s Criminal Division, operates a call center at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and serves as a centralized clearinghouse for disaster fraud complaints and information relating to both natural and man-made disasters. The NCDF seeks to improve and further the detection, prevention, investigation, and prosecution of fraud related to natural and man-made disasters, and to advocate for victims of such fraud. More than 20 federal, state, and local agencies participate in the NCDF, which allows them to forward complaints to the appropriate agency for investigation.

“In the aftermath of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Florence the affected communities and citizens of Eastern North Carolina should be on guard against disaster fraud schemes,” said Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. “As FEMA and other federal, state, and local relief agencies work tirelessly to support those who have suffered losses as the result of this natural disaster, we can be certain that criminals will target those impacted and attempt to profit from the suffering of others. The Department of Justice is committed to detecting and stopping this type of fraud. Through the National Center for Disaster Fraud, and in conjunction with our law enforcement partners, we are working to aggressively prosecute the offenders.”

While compassion, assistance, and solidarity are generally prevalent in the aftermath of natural disasters, unscrupulous individuals and organizations also use these tragic events to take advantage of those in need. Examples of illegal activity being reported to the NCDF and law enforcement include:

FEMA fraud;
Identity theft;
Contractor fraud;
Charity fraud; and,
Impersonation of government officials.

The NCDF reminds the public to be aware of and report any instances of alleged fraudulent activity related to relief operations and funding for victims. Members of the public are reminded to apply a critical eye and do their due diligence before trusting anyone purporting to be working on behalf of disaster victims and before giving contributions to anyone soliciting donations on behalf of disaster victims. The public is also reminded to be extremely cautious before providing personal identifying or financial information to anyone, especially those who may contact you after a natural disaster.

Unfortunately, criminals can exploit disasters, such as Hurricane Florence, for their own gain by sending fraudulent communications through email or social media and by creating phony websites designed to solicit contributions. Tips should be reported to the NCDF at (866) 720-5721. The line is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Additionally, e-mails can be sent to disaster@leo.gov, and information can be faxed to (225) 334-4707.

Learn more about the NCDF at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud and watch a public service announcement from United States Attorney Higdon here (link is external). Within the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Deputy Criminal Chief Felice Corpening serves as the Disaster Fraud Coordinator. Working with the NCDF and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, Deputy Criminal Chief Corpening oversees the federal prosecution and investigation of disaster fraud matters impacting Eastern North Carolina. Violations of North Carolina state disaster fraud laws are handled by the North Carolina Department of Justice’s (NCDOJ) Consumer Protection Division. The NCDOJ Consumer Protection Division may be contacted at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM (1-877-566-7226) or by visiting www.ncdoj.gov/complaint.

Tips for the public on how to avoid being victimized by fraud are available at https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/tips-avoiding-fraudulent-charitable-contribution-schemes.

Vance Co. Schools’ ‘We Inspire’ Initiative Drafts 45 Educators

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools hosted a special event on October 1, 2018, in the school system’s Administrative Services Center for members of the third cohort for the “We Inspire” initiative.

The event entitled, “Draft Day,” marked the beginning of the local educators’ participation in the initiative.

Superintendent Anthony Jackson recognized each of the 45 educators as they marched down the red carpet to sign the commitment pledge and receive their “We Inspire” shirt.

Superintendent Anthony Jackson gets cheers and waving pom-poms in the crowd as “Draft Day” begins for local educators in the school system’s classroom technology initiative. (Photo Credit: Vance County Schools)

They will now go through several training sessions during the school year so that they can become leaders in their schools to share strategies with colleagues on the effective use of technology to enhance classroom instruction.

The training costs are covered by a $200,000 grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation and sessions are led by representatives of the Friday Institute at N.C. State University.

Those in the third cohort join about 100 other local educators who went through the first two years of training to lead blended learning efforts in their schools. Once fully trained by the Friday Institute facilitators, the educators can work with fellow staff members in their schools to develop effective strategies on using technology along with classroom instruction.

The “We Inspire” initiative is part of the school system’s overall technology plan to increase usage of technology to support instruction by teachers. The key focus of the initiative is to provide quality training for teachers so that their use of technology with students is a positive boost for academic performance.

Volunteer Services of MPH Announces Upcoming $5 Masquerade Sale

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-Information courtesy Lisa Radford, Volunteer Coordinator, Maria Parham Health

Volunteer Services of Maria Parham Health announces their ever famous $5 Masquerade Sale on Wednesday, October 17, 2018, from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Thursday, October 18, 2018, from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Everything is $5!  Necklaces, earrings, rings, watches, scarves, gadgets, ties, gifts for children and adults.  The sale will be held in the John T. Church classroom.

Come experience the FRENZY!

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North Henderson Baptist to Hold Yard/Bake Sale, Country Breakfast

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-Information courtesy Catherine Abbott, North Henderson Baptist Church

North Henderson Baptist Church, 1211 N. Garnett St., will hold a Yard/Bake Sale and Country Breakfast on Saturday, October 6, 2018, from 7 – 11 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

The event will be held rain or shine and all proceeds go to benefit Relay for Life/American Cancer Society.

Contacts: Catherine Abbott (252) 430-9631 or Sylvia Spain (252) 425-1862.

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U.S. Department of Justice

Thomas Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme & Tax Evasion

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that today, in federal court, TREYTON LEE THOMAS, age 62, pled guilty to wire fraud, affecting a financial institution, and income tax evasion. In pleading guilty, THOMAS, agreed to pay restitution to all the victims of his fraud scheme and to forfeit more than seven million dollars.

On November 22, 2016, THOMAS was charged in a 21-Count Indictment with wire fraud, bank fraud and money laundering. This Indictment charged THOMAS, who represented himself as a successful Harvard educated investment advisor, with defrauding his father’s used car warranty company, NC&VA Warranty of Roxboro, N.C., several of its customers, his wife, and his father-in-law. THOMAS claimed he was conservatively investing their money in U.S. Treasury Bills. Instead, through an on-line brokerage firm, THOMAS used these funds to conduct risky trades in the commodities and futures market.

To conceal this fraud scheme, THOMAS provided these victims and various financial institutions with false information and fabricated bank and brokerage statements. To obtain additional funds, the Indictment charged THOMAS with using the same false information and fabricated statements to defraud financial institutions out of approximately 1.9 million dollars in loan proceeds.

In addition to losing the victims’ money in risky trades, the Indictment charged THOMAS with spending more than 1.6 million dollars to pay personal expenses.

On March 15, 2018, THOMAS was charged in another Indictment with six counts of income tax evasions for the calendar years 2010 – 2015 and two counts of failing to disclose his interest in and authority over foreign bank accounts. In entering his guilty plea, THOMAS agreed that he concealed his income from the Internal Revenue Service by, among other things, concealing his interest in foreign corporations and using offshore bank accounts to pay his personal expenses.

The applicable total maximum statutory penalty for these crimes is 35 years imprisonment, a $1,100,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, and the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Melissa Kessler and Susan Menzer are representing the government in this case.

News releases are available on the U.S. Attorney’s webpage at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce within 48 hours of release.