Mike Waters

Pendergrass Plea of Guilty to One Count Sexual Battery Results in Sex Offender Registration

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Following an investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation here in North Carolina, the local district attorney’s office of the 11th Prosecutorial District informs WIZS News that Tony R. Pendergrass, 58, of Franklinton has entered a plea of guilty to one count of sexual battery.

The plea to the one count, which is a Class A1 misdemeanor, took place on April 28, 2021 in Granville County.

As a result, Pendergrass faced a maximum sentence of 60 days.

Assistant District Attorney Brent Groce said by email to WIZS, “Following Mr. Pendergrass’ plea of guilty (as charged), the Court heard from the victim’s mother, who read an impassioned statement to the Court concerning the impact that Mr. Pendergrass’ criminal behavior has had on her (family).”

After hearing from the victim’s mother, the court accepted the plea arrangement in the following manner. The ADA wrote to WIZS, “the defendant received a sentence of 60 days, which was suspended for an unsupervised term of 24 months on the following conditions: (1) he must serve a 5 days sentence in jail beginning immediately; (2) pay court costs; (3) have no contact with the victim or his family for a term of five years; and (4) register as a sex offender.”

The ADA indicates a “methodical, thorough, and thoughtful investigation” occurred, which was helped by a “brave victim of a serious offense” who benefited from having an “incredible support system.”

Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow said Pendergrass was a former captain, having resigned on July 13, 2020.

State of North Carolina District Court documents list the date range of offenses as 05/15/2020 – 05/17/2020. Pendergrass’ signature accepting the misdemeanor statement of charges as defendant is visible on the document with the date 4/28/2021 hand written beside his name.

Court costs were $483.00, including a $383.00 cost and $100.00 fine.

When the present, active five days in jail finishes, Pendergrass has 72 hours from discharge to report to a probation officer in the State of North Carolina.

The misdemeanor statement of charges and judgment are signed by the presiding judge.

Henderson Police Department

Victim Shot, Then Crashed Car, Near Downtown

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Wednesday, April 28 at 9:08 p.m., Henderson Police responded to a call for a gunshot victim.

Parrish Nathaniel Jefferson, 29, was shot.  He walked a couple of blocks to the Vance County Magistrate’s Office to receive assistance after his automobile collided with another car at the intersection of Andrews Avenue and Chestnut Street.

According to a Henderson Police Department press release, emergency aid was rendered by EMS, and Jefferson was transported by ambulance to a local medical facility.

One of Henderson’s busiest intersections nearby, Garnett Street at Andrews Avenue, was determined to be the crime scene, the scene of the shooting.

Police indicated that Jefferson was driving a black 2018 Infinity and had an encounter with occupants of another vehicle while at the intersection. Gunfire erupted and the Infinity, then traveling west on Andrews Avenue, collided with a 2005 Toyota passenger car being operated by a Domino’s pizza delivery driver at the intersection of Andrews and Chestnut.

The Toyota’s driver was also transported by EMS to a local medical center for non life-threatening injuries.

Police Captain J. Ferguson confirmed Jefferson’s condition to be stable as of Thursday morning.

The investigation is ongoing at this time.

If anyone has more information about this incident, please contact Henderson Police through Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or the P3 app.  Call the HPD at 252-438-4141, or make contact through Facebook or Instagram.

NCCare360 Works To Match Clients With Providers, Resources

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It sounds ambitious, but doable: NCCare360 is a public-private partnership designed to provide streamlined support for those who are looking for help with finding resources for everything from health care to housing, access to transportation and other challenges that people are faced with.

Quinny Sanchez Lopez, community engagement manager, spoke to the Vance County Community Collaborative earlier this week and shared information about joining the partnership.

Attending the monthly meeting were representatives from education, governmental and non-profit agencies, according to information from Triangle North Healthcare Foundation.

Executive Director Val Short welcomed the group, which convened to learn more about the public-private partnership between the NC Department of Health and Human Services and the Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation.

There is no fee to register to join the partnership, Sanchez Lopez said, which reaches all 100 counties in the state.

NCCare360 is “the first statewide network that unites health care and human services organizations with a shared technology that enables a coordinated, community-oriented, person-centered approach for delivering care in North Carolina,” according to the statement.

The idea is to have a group of health and human services providers in one network to connect clients with community resources. Unite Us powers the technology platform, which is used for feedback and follow-up and ensuring accountability of service delivery.

Included in the model is a community engagement team that works with local organizations such as social service agencies to independent providers to get resources to those who need them.

Referrals can be made by providers or by the client himself or herself. A NCCare360 “navigator” connects the client to resources in their area. A resource directory is available at www.nccare360.org.

Agencies that partner with NCCare360 receive training and are responsible for responding to referrals and reporting outcomes.

Granville Vance Public Health is a NCCare360 partner and Director Lisa Harrison said Thursday that it is exciting to see technology evolve in a way that can further the mission of public health.

“We are eager to incorporate NCCare360 technology as our social workers and nurses at the health department continue to connect people in our communities to needed resources,” Harrison said in a statement to WIZS News.

Improving the health of people in the community goes beyond a doctor’s office or making good food choices at the grocery store. “For decades… health department staff have valued working with children and families to navigate opportunities for improved transportation, housing, child care, health care services including mental health services, healthy food resources, small business support, and community outreach,” she said.

But it takes more than a computer network to be successful. It also takes people who know about the local community to be involved and informed as well.

“While this technology is robust and transformative, technology is just technology unless all network partners are trained and empowered to use it to better serve their patients and clients,” Harrison said.

For more information about joining the partnership, contact Sanchez Lopez by email quinny.sanchezlopez@uniteus.com.

Visit www.nccare360.org to learn more.

TownTalk 04-29-21 Local History With Cathleen Turner, Preservation North Carolina

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Hosts Bill Harris and Mark Pace speak with Cathleen Turner, Piedmont Regional Director of Preservation North Carolina, about the importance of protecting historical properties.

Written story below.

As well, please enjoy full broadcast audio of the show.

Saving historic properties from demolition is but one aspect of Preservation North Carolina’s mission. The preservation of a physical building also keeps alive and relevant the stories that go along with the structure – its place in the community and the families that once lived or worked in them.

Cathleen Turner, Preservation North Carolina’s Piedmont regional director, said the nonprofit organization is a source of information for anyone interested in historic preservation – whether it’s restoration, repair or rehabilitation.

Turner was a guest on Town Talk Thursday and shared some of PNC’s success stories with hosts Bill Harris and Thornton Library’s Mark Pace.

It’s important to keep in mind whether a property is “saveable, buyable and sellable,” she said, as well as its role in the life of the community in which it’s located. “Sometimes the most modest little cottage can reveal a depth of information about the people who lived there or were associate with it.”

One success story has a local connection. Turner mentioned the Bellamy Mansion in Wilmington, a stewardship project of PNC. Pace noted that two Bellamy brothers married two sisters from right here in Vance County. The sisters were Hargroves, members of the family that owned Hibernia near Townsville. The Bellamy home fared far better than the Hargrove home, which is no longer standing. The Bellamy Mansion Museum of History and Design Arts took decades to rehabilitate, and it was turned over to PNC as a stewardship property in 1989.

Not all properties are destined to be restored to its original state, Turner said.

“We use the Secretary of the Interior standards for rehabilitation,” she said, “which are guidelines that we apply on a case-by-case basis.” Many of the buildings’ owners aren’t interested in restoring them to a particular period. “People like their indoor bathrooms and kitchens. And they like their Wifi, too,” Turner added.

The term “rehabilitation” may describe more accurately what occurs with properties. Updating to today’s standards is done thoughtfully, she said, “with respect to repair rather than replace.” If something is missing or beyond repair, then she recommends to replace in-kind. Yesterday’s materials – those old growth forest woods – are hardier than most modern materials.  If the original materials can be saved, that is preferred. “The way we approach rehabilitation is very common-sense and sensible. And smart, from a bottom-line standpoint.”

Another success story is located in the tiny town of Milton, near the Virginia border. It is there that Thomas Day’s home and workshop have been restored. “We had been interested in seeing that building preserved for a very long time,” Turner said. A fire nearly burned it to the ground, but the building was not beyond restoration. She said it probably would have been razed had PNC not stepped in. Visitors can see where the famed furniture maker once lived and worked.

Closer to home is a property known as the Charles Brewer house, located on North Clark Street in Henderson. Houses located in National Register historic districts may be eligible for tax credits, Turner said. “We don’t give grants to private property owners,” she said, but tax credits provide incentives for the repair work and restoration to be completed.

Visit www.presnc.org to learn more about PNC’s projects and programs.

The Local Skinny Apr 29 YMCA Bike Safety Event

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Thank you for listening to WIZS Radio, Your Community Voice!

The Local Skinny Apr 29 YMCA Bike Safety Event Information.

Vance County Sheriff's Office

Three Vance County Deputies Indicted by Grand Jury

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In a press release received today from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame, he indicated three deputies have been indicted this week by a Vance County Grand Jury.

Brame wrote in his press release that one of the deputies had pending charges, and now more charges have been brought against him.

“All three deputies have been suspended from duty with the Sheriff’s Office pending resolution of their charges,” he said.

An internal investigation was conducted, but it was completed by an outside source.  The result, according to Brame, is that “violation of office policy and lack of training was found.”

Brame wrote, “I believe in and support my officers and that protocol was followed.  At this time, I do not have any evidence that would warrant the charges brought against them.

“The Vance County Sheriff’s Office will continue to serve and protect the people of Vance County going forward.”

Dylan Gerard Shares How Simple Things Influence His Musical Style

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Sometimes, it’s the simple things in life that bring joy to people’s lives – and Dylan Gerard has created a song that celebrates family and growing up in a small town, two of his “simple things.”

Gerard is an up-and-coming musician whose new single “Simple Things” reached 37th on the Music Row Country Music breakout chart. The 29-year-old Florida native spoke with John C. Rose on Town Talk to discuss how the song and accompanying video came about, artists who have influenced his sound and his appearance on NBC’s talent program “The Voice.”

The lyrics and music came first for the song, he said, and he was just beginning work on the video about the time COVID-19 restrictions locked everything down, so he used the time to go through home videos.

“I thought it was fitting to go through old home videos and just really show people my side of simple things,” Gerard said. “You hear the song and think about your own simple things.”

“On top of it just being something for other people, it was really nice just being reminded of that for myself, especially in (these) trying times…it’s my mom and my dad. It’s my sister and brother, my Granny and Papa,” he continued.

When it don’t make sense and the world’s fallin’ apart. It’s the simple things. I love the simple things.  — from “Simple Things,” Dylan Gerard

Music was an integral part of Gerard’s childhood – both parents sing, his dad plays guitar and mandolin. “I can’t remember a time we didn’t have music going…in the car or the house.” He picked up the guitar in high school and never looked back.

Enjoy the TownTalk Podcast and more below.

 

He since signed with Nashville’s SSM label and said a follow-up single  – “Please Don’t Let Me” – is set to drop in the near future. There’s an album in the works as well, he said.

Gerard appeared on Season 13 of “The Voice.” “That was something else – quite the experience.” He talked about the fascination of seeing the production of the show and all the behind-the-scenes work required to do it. “It was pretty stressful, pretty nerve-wracking, but it was definitely an experience,” he said.

Getting compliments on his music from the likes of judges Adam Levine, Jennifer Hudson and Kelly Clarkson didn’t hurt, either. “It gives you some validation, some hope, a little more drive and motivation” to continue pursuing music.

It was Clarkson who helped steer Gerard into the country music “lane,” he said. “She said I had a really good country music voice… a voice that’s not necessarily out there, and I thought that was really cool,” he said. “I think country is kind of in my voice,” he added.

Despite finding a spot in country music, Gerard rattled off a range of artists – past and current – whose music has influenced his sound. From Otis Redding and Frank Sinatra to Bonnie Raitt and the Temptations, it’s the soulful sound that he’s drawn to.

“I’ve always loved soul and I love to hear that passion in someone’s voice,” Gerard said. In fact, when he’d finished his audition for “The Voice,” he said judges Levine and Hudson remarked that although they had listened to others perform that day, his audition was the first time they had felt the emotion emanating from his music. “To get that from them was really nice and really rewarding,” he said.

Find Gerard on social media platforms Instagram and Facebook and at www.dylangerardmusic.com to learn more about him and his music. He invites others to consider what their “simple things” are and then share them in a message to him; “it’s the things that mean the most to us,” he said. “It’s interesting and really nice to hear what those things are and how they differ from person to person.”