TownTalk: William Coker, Vance County Animal Services Chief

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For Vance County Animal Services Director William Coker, the name of the game is cultivating partnerships. Community partners raise awareness when it comes to reducing the pet population. Corporate partners provide space for adoption and vaccination events. And, individual partners fall in love with the cutest little pups or kittens and give them forever homes.

Partnerships are what keep Coker and his staff hopeful that animals find their way out of the shelter and are adopted into households where they’ll get the care they deserve.

There are several upcoming adoption events at area retailers for prospective pet owners, as well as a rabies vaccination clinic where dogs and cats can get their annual – and state-mandated – rabies vaccine for just $5.

The first adoption/vaccination clinic will take place Saturday, Aug. 10 at Tractor Supply from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

“We have people who come every year to get their dog or cat updated on rabies,” Coker said on Monday’s TownTalk.

If you bring your pet for its rabies shot and want to take a look inside the adoption trailer, Coker said that’ll be just fine.

The next two clinics will take place on the same day – Saturday Aug. 24 – one at Cross Creek Outdoor Supply and another at Petco, located on U.S. 158 Bypass.

The Cross Creek clinic will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the Petco clinic will operate from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Coker noted.

In addition to providing a location for the community clinics, Coker said he’s grateful to local retailers who donate pet food to the shelter.

“They’re a big help to us,” he said. “They donate to the shelter and in return, (we) donate it out into the community.”

It’s difficult to see pet owners surrender family pets to the shelter because they can no longer provide for them. Coker and his staff try to help in any way they can to keep pets out of the shelter. Sometimes, a donation of pet food is all they need.

“We do have a lot of people who are up against it,” Coker said of the financial strain that faces some pet owners. “We take each surrender case by case,” he said, adding that he and his staff can offer a solution for a short period of time, they’ll do it.

But they can’t do it alone. “We’re bringing in a lot of animals,” he said. Intake usually goes up in the summer months, but this summer has been unusually high. One recent day saw 33 animals come into the shelter. In July, the shelter took in 70 kittens alone.

Over the past few months, Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society has been able to remove 90 kittens and cats from the shelter and transport them to points North, where they can be adopted through a number of rescue organizations.

“Ruin Creek is my best friend,” Coker said.

RCAPS helps by physically moving dogs and cats from the Vance County shelter to rescues and adoption groups up the East Coast. Over the past few months, RCAPS has taken 90 kittens and cats on their freedom ride to forever homes.

It’s not a problem unique to Vance County, Coker said. The wave of kittens and puppies is a direct result of curtailed spay and neuter programs forced during COVID-19.

“We push our spay and neuter programs hard,” he said. Residents who receive any type of government assistance can have their pet spayed or neutered at the shelter free of charge.

Even if you don’t receive any government assistance, the price to spay and neuter is still reasonable, he said. Call the shelter to set up an appointment.

“That’s all we have to combat this,” Coker said, referring to the no-cost/low-cost spay and neuter program. “The main thing, though, is to stop the problem. Adoption clinics and rescue groups in other parts of the country are solutions to the ongoing challenge of pet over-population.

The Vance County Animal Shelter is open to the public Tuesday-Thursday 10 a.m to 2 p.m. and half-days every other Friday and Saturday. You can also call the shelter at 252.492.3136 on Mondays between 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to make a spay/neuter appointment.

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The Local Skinny!: Police Chief Barrow Updates Two Murder Cases

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Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow said a months-long murder investigation has resulted in a suspect being taken into custody in California.

“After slightly over three months of tireless effort from our investigative division, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, we are relieved to say that Antarious Tebron Harrington, age 28, has been taken into custody by the U.S. Marshal Service in California,” Barrow said in a written statement to WIZS News late Wednesday.

The shooting occurred on the evening of Apr. 15 during an altercation on Julia Avenue. Alston was taken to a local medical facility, where he later died.

At the time of the shooting, local police investigators obtained warrants for Harrington’s arrest, who was then out on pre-trial release on felony drug charges.

Further details were not immediately available.

Henderson police also have made two additional arrests in another shooting death that happened last week.

Christopher Joyner, 26, died on July 25. Police found Joyner in his car and discovered that he had suffered a gunshot wound. The car was located in the roadway between Beck Avenue and Ford Street on West Andrews Avenue.

 

Police arrested Qui’terrious Alston, 23, and Jadda-kyss Alston, 21, both of Henderson, in connection with the incident. Each was charged with First Degree Murder and placed at the Vance County Detention Facility without privilege of bond.
“We are tremendously grateful of our community for providing assistance in this investigation,” Barrow said in a statement to WIZS News. “Your continued support is making a difference.”

Nineteen-year-old Jah-meer Spann, of Henderson,  was arrested earlier and also charged with murder. He was remanded to the Vance County Jail without privilege of bond.

 

Vance County Man Charged Twice after Providing Alcohol to Underage Recipient

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 — press release courtesy of NC Dept of Public Safety, ALE

HENDERSON, N.C.— A Vance County man has been charged twice in as many months for providing alcohol to the same underage 20-year-old female.

On Thursday, May 2, 2024, Henderson Police Department (HPD) responded to a vehicle crash in Henderson, NC involving Kassidy Faye Edwards, 20, who collided with a second vehicle, seriously injuring the driver. At the time of the crash, alcohol was believed to be a factor. HPD contacted ALE, who immediately began an investigation. This resulted in two arrests, consisting of multiple alcohol related criminal charges and one violation report submitted to the NC ABC Commission.

Through the course of the investigation, ALE received information that Christopher Taylor Fisher had continued providing alcohol to underage individuals. On Sunday, July 28, 2024, with the assistance from North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, ALE special agents arrested Fisher and Edwards on multiple criminal charges. Subsequently, a search warrant was executed at 262 Noel Lane, Henderson, NC, which resulted in the seizure of nontax paid liquor, cocaine and a quantity of prescription pills.

The following individuals were arrested:

  • Christopher Taylor Fisher, 54, of Henderson, NC, was charged with felony possession of cocaine, felony possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine, felony possession schedule II-controlled substance, misdemeanor maintaining a dwelling/vehicle for controlled substances, misdemeanor simple possession of schedule II controlled substances, give malt beverage/unfortified wine to person under 21, possess/sell nontax paid alcoholic beverage and possess/sell alcoholic beverages without ABC permits.
  • Kassidy Faye Edwards,20, of Henderson, NC, was charged with consume alcoholic beverages by person 19/20 years old and possession of malt beverage/unfortified wine by person 19/20 years old.

ALE often works closely with local and state law enforcement agencies investigating vehicle collisions resulting in personal injury and or death of persons less than 21 years of age when alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in the collision.

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TownTalk: Sheriff Brame Shares Latest Phone Scam

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Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame wants residents to know, first of all, that neither he nor any personnel of the sheriff’s office will ever ask anyone via telephone call or text message for sensitive personal information.

Brame spoke with WIZS on Wednesday’s TownTalk to pass along information regarding just such a scam that has been brought to his attention.

Brame said he learned about the scam upon receiving a phone call from a citizen.

The woman said the person left a voicemail for her late husband on her home phone. The caller identified himself as being a deputy on Brame’s staff, and left a number to call for what was described as an important and time-sensitive matter.

“I looked at the number, and I knew it wasn’t a local number,” Brame said. Neither was there a deputy with the name that was given in the message.

“My staff…will knock on your door and ask you to come to our office,” the sheriff said, adding that deputies will provide badge numbers, call numbers and other official information identifying them as sheriff’s officers.

He urges members of the public to be vigilant to avoid being taken in by scammers.

“Never say the word ‘yes’ to these people,” he said. Never provide personal information like dates of birth and Social Security numbers to people via email or text message.

 

 

TownTalk: Vance Co. Community Foundation Awards More Than 12K To Local Organizations

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-information courtesy of the Vance County Community Foundation

The Vance County Community Foundation, a North Carolina Community Foundation affiliate, has awarded $12,050 in grants to organizations supporting the local community.

The board of advisors granted:

  • $2,000 to ACTS of Vance County, Inc. for food purchases for pantry
  • $1,000 to Community Partners of Hope, Inc. for Henderson Men’s Shelter expansion
  • $1,550 to Embassy Cultural Center Foundation, Inc. (doing business as McGregor Hall) for general operating support
  • $1,500 to Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start, Inc. for Adolescent Parenting Program
  • $1,000 to HubZone Technology Initiative for general operating support
  • $1,000 to Kearah’s Place for transitional housing program
  • $1,000 to North Carolina Symphony for ensembles in the schools for Vance County students
  • $1,000 to Spoken Existence Ministries for self-sustaining community garden beautification
  • $1,000 to Vance County Middle School (VCMS) Healthful Living for after-school program
  • $1,000 to Vision’s Educational Learning & Tutoring Services for general operating support

“We’re honored to support these organizations doing great wok in our community and grateful to our supporters who make this possible,” said Wendy Meyer-Goodwin, advisory board president of the Vance County Community Foundation.

Funds for 2024 grants came from VCCF’s community grantmaking fund, the Bobby R. and Griselle G. Woodward Endowment Fund, and the Edna Freeman Murray and Ralph Murray Charitable Fund. Each year, VCCF’s local volunteer advisory board uses dollars from its endowment funds to make grants to eligible local organizations, including nonprofits, local governments, schools and churches.

Visit nccommunityfoundation.org/vance to learn more about VCCF and its work in the community or make a tax-deductible donation.

VCCF advisory board members live and work in Vance County, positioning them to strategically leverage resources to meet local needs and access opportunities.

In addition to Meyer-Goodwin, board members include Sara “Bebe” Webster, vice president; Terri Hedrick, secretary; Sarah Baskerville, Nikki Cheatham, Lee Faulkner, Uriah Ford and Lee Christine Williams.

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TownTalk: Introducing Scout Hughes to WIZS

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During his recent job interview, Scout Hughes was fielding questions about his interests, abilities and long-term goals, but he was also gathering information about his prospective place of business.

Just three days in, Hughes said what he was told during that recent interview is absolutely true: WIZS is a hometown radio station, and his new co-workers are a close-knit bunch.

And although the young broadcaster is not from Henderson, he does have family here, he said during an introductory interview on Wednesday’s TownTalk. His grandfather is Howard Hughes, and his dad is Joe, Hughes’s younger son.

He graduated from Liberty University with a degree in sports journalism, and he worked at the school’s radio station there for 3 ½ years.

“I knew that I wanted to get into broadcasting,” Hughes said, and figured sports would be the way to pursue that goal.

As a new college graduate, Hughes landed a part-time job at radio stations WPAQ and WSYD  in his hometown of Mt. Airy.

There, he covered high school football for nearby Galax, VA, whose team won the 1A championship, and also covered Wake Forest University and UNC football for the two stations.

This year, he’ll be in the booth as the primary play-by-play broadcaster for Vance County High School Friday Night Football, a role he’s looking forward to.

Other duties have been described to him as administrative, which Hughes explains as a “big ‘umbrella’ word for EVERYTHING.”

Welcome to Henderson and to WIZS, Scout!

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The Local Skinny! Vance County Schools New App Student Information System

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Vance County Schools is among a group of public school districts and charter schools across the state in Phase 1 of a new student information system.

NC Student Information System – NC SIS – is coming on line over the next couple of years, and Vance County parents and students are among the first test drive the new system powered by Infinite Campus.

VCS Chief Officer of Communication & Innovative Support Aarika Sandlin and Chief Officer of Technology Marsha Abbott discussed the changeover and what it will entail on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

Sandlin said families will no longer use the PowerSchool app, and should upload the Infinite Parent app available through the Apple Store or Google Play. Students, likewise, will download the Infinite Student app.

Abbott said each of the programs contains a wealth of tools for students and parents to use, from accessing attendance, to online assignments and grades, and more.

The new system will allow parents to enroll students online, eliminating the need to  travel to the central office.

“Our goal is to make things as accessible as possible,” Sandlin said, “with no barriers.”

Parents still have the option of enrolling their child in person, but they will no longer be required to do so, if they have the app on their mobile device.

“We are not taking away any form of communication,” she added, “we’re simply adding ways.”

Abbott said the new system also allows for communication with teachers and parents, at any point during the year, can update information such as phone numbers and address to maintain the most updated information.

Visit the school’s Facebook page to find out more or visit https://www.vcs.k12.nc.us/  to learn about upcoming Open Houses for year-round schools and schools on the traditional calendar. Aug. 7 is the first day for year-round students; students in schools on traditional calendars return Aug. 26.

Find all three 2024-25 calendars at https://www.vcs.k12.nc.us/calendar 

 

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