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The North Carolina School Public Relations Association (NCSPRA) has honored Vance County Schools for excellence in communications. Vance County Schools earned a total of nine Blue Ribbon Awards for outstanding and effective communication. NCSPRA presented the awards during a virtual ceremony on February 5, 2021.
A Blue Ribbon Award is the highest honor a school district can receive from NCSPRA. Vance County Schools received five Gold level awards for outstanding Marketing, Photography, Publications, Graphic Design and Electronic Media. The district was also recognized with one Silver level award in Electronic Media and three Bronze level awards for Special Events and Digital Media Engagement.
“It is an honor for Vance County Schools to be recognized at the state level for communications. We strive to keep our students, parents, staff and community informed,” said Aarika Sandlin, public information officer for Vance County Schools.
Ken Derksen, NCSPRA president and communications & public relations officer for Wayne County Public Schools, said the work of the award winners exemplifies the high standards and qualities members demonstrate in their daily school communications programs. “Blue Ribbon Awards are among the highest and most prestigious honors that a member of our organization can attain,” Derksen said. “I congratulate Vance County Schools for achieving this statewide recognition as a Blue Ribbon Award winner and for the superior work being accomplished in the area of school communications and public relations.”
NCSPRA recognizes outstanding communications through its Blue Ribbon Awards program each year. Vance County Schools was one of 41 school districts statewide to receive a Blue Ribbon Award.
During the Blue Ribbon Awards ceremony, State Superintendent Catherine Truitt paid tribute to award winners and thanked all North Carolina school districts for their efforts to effectively communicate during difficult times. Truitt praised the districts and their communications teams for the powerful way they have responded to help parents, students, and staff during the COVID crisis. “You have conquered the digital landscape in order to meet the ever-changing demands of this pandemic,” Truitt shared in her video message. “You have mastered the use of social media channels, video messages, and email sending platforms, and you have remained vigilant in the face of an overwhelming demand for answers. Most importantly you all have been steadfast in your determination to ensure that questions posed by parents and teachers have received the answers they require and deserve.” Truitt called the work of the winners “exceptional,” and thanked them for their dedication and for helping to shape the communications landscape.
NCSPRA is a statewide professional organization serving more than 150 members. Its mission is to build support for public education through well-planned and responsible public relations. For more information, please visit the NCSPRA Facebook page or www.ncspra.org.
— Press Release
The Henderson Police Department recently arrested three individuals for drug offenses during ongoing efforts to curtail drug related and violent crimes.
On January 27 2021, Officers of the Henderson Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Kyshaun Norrell and Kemarus Bryant for motor vehicle and drug violations. Mr. Norrell then fled which lead to a vehicle pursuit. During the pursuit, Mr. Norrell and Mr. Bryant were observed throwing multiple items out of their vehicles window. After abandoning their vehicle in at a nearby residence, Norrell and Bryant fled on foot but were both shortly apprehended. Subsequently, 372 dosage units of heroin, 12.8 grams of marijuana and $4,209.00 in U.S. Currency were recovered.
Kyshaun Norrell was served with one count of Felony Fleeing to Elude Arrest, three counts of Trafficking Heroin, one count of Possession with Intent to Maintain, Sell, Deliver Heroin, one count of Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling Place for a Controlled Substance, one count of Possession of Marijuana, one count of Possessionof Drug Paraphernalia and one count of Resisting a Public Officer. Mr. Norrell received a no bond.
Kemarus Bryant was served with two counts of Trafficking Heroin, one count of Possession with Intent to Maintain, Sell, Deliver Heroin, one count of Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling Place for a Controlled Substance, one count of Possession of Marijuana, one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and one count of Resisting a Public Officer. A two hundred fifty-five-thousand-dollar ($255,000) secured bond was set for these charges.
Mr. Norrell and Mr. Bryant were remanded to the Vance County Detention Center.
On February 4 2021, Officers of the Henderson Police Department served a search warrant at 431 Hamilton St. Henderson, NC 27536.
During the service of the warrants a total of 1,004 grams of a schedule VI controlled substance, drug manufacturing equipment, $2,111.00 in U.S. Currency, a semi auto pistol and two semi auto rifles were located. Aarron Hargrove was arrested in regards to this investigation.
Aarron Hargrove was charged with one count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell Deliver a Schedule VI Controlled Substance, Felony Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance, Resisting Public Officer, Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell Deliver a Schedule VI Controlled Substance within 1000ft of a daycare, one count of Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling Place for a Controlled Substance, one count of Manufacture Schedule VI Controlled Substance and one count of Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia.
Aarron Hargrove received a $75,000 secured bond and was remanded to the custody of the Vance County Detention Center.
If anyone has information about any ongoing criminal activity, please contact us through Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at (252- 492-1925 or P3 app), call us at 252-438-4141, or contact us through Facebook or Instagram.
NEWS RELEASE
From: Sheriff Curtis R. Brame, Vance County
Local County Sheriff Issues Appeal to Citizens In Fight Against Crime
Responding to the increasing number of people wanting to assist law enforcement officials and build a stronger partnership in the fight against crime, Sheriff Curtis R. Brame today announced that Vance County citizens are being invited to become Honorary Members of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association.
Membership applications go out in the mail this month. Individuals choosing to join the voluntary program can do so for $25, while businesses can show their support with a $50 contribution. The funding provides critically important technical resources, legislative support on key criminal justice issues, support for the NCSA Undergraduate Criminal Justice Scholarship Program at the University of North Carolina System, and additional training for sheriffs and their deputies.
Contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law since the Association is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit tax exempt organization.
With funding becoming increasingly important to secure, the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association’s Honorary Membership Program has taken on greater importance than ever before, said Sheriff Curtis R. Brame. The funding is vital in helping us carry out our mission of making our county a safer place to live, work and play.
Individuals not receiving a membership application or desiring more information may go to the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association website at www.ncsheriffs.org or contact the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association at:
Post Office Box 20049
Raleigh, North Carolina 27619-0049
Telephone: (919) SHERIFF (743-7433)
Meanwhile, residents wishing to become Honorary Members can also sign up for the program by contacting the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.
The Honorary Membership Program was created to provide citizens with an opportunity to lend their support to more effective law enforcement and to better help local sheriffs protect the lives and property of citizens.
As the need for building stronger public-private law enforcement partnerships in this county continues to escalate, programs such as this continue to grow in importance, said Sheriff Curtis R. Brame. I encourage everyone receiving a membership application to consider joining forces with us by becoming an Honorary Member. It is a valuable investment in our future.
Founded in 1922, the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association is a not-for-profit professional and educational organization dedicated to the preservation of peace and the protection of the lives and property of the citizens of North Carolina. The Association office is located in Raleigh.
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— press release from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame
On Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 5:15 p.m., the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division responded to 139 East Holly Lane, Henderson, North Carolina to recover stolen property. While at the scene, Deputies recovered a Cub Cadet Side by Side stolen from Wilson County.
The Criminal Investigative Division (CID) was called to the scene where they began to investigate where the stolen Side by Side had come from and how the suspect obtained the Side by Side. During the investigation, as the case unfolded, detectives also recovered other items: a John Deere Gator, Kawasaki Mule, two trailers, Honda Pioneer, and Polaris Ranger.
The Criminal Investigative Division worked in conjunction with Wilson County, Pitt County, Bertie County and Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office.
Arrested during the investigation were the following persons:
Clyde Poole B/M, Age 26, for Felony Conspiracy of a Stolen Motor Vehicle. Bond was set at $100,000.00 and court date was set for 02/15/2021
Kevin Powers B/M, Age 30, for Felony Conspiracy of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle and Possession of Schedule I. Bond was set at $175,000.00 and court date was set for 02/15/2021
Justin Batts B/M, Age 34, for Obtaining Property by False Pretense (3 counts) Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle, Felony Conspiracy, Larceny of a Motor Vehicle (2 counts). Bond was set at $236,000.00 and court date was set for 02/09/2021.
Andrew Euper W/M, Age 42, for Obtaining Property by False Pretense (3 counts) Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle, Felony Conspiracy, Larceny of a Motor Vehicle (2 counts). Bond was set at $180,000.00 and court date was set for 02/09/2021.
Michelle Canady W/F, Age 46, for Felony Conspiracy and Possession of Methamphetamine. Bond was set at $10,000.00 and court date was set for 02/09/21.
James Godwin W/M, Age 59, for 2 counts of Obtaining Property by False Pretense. Bond was set at $10,000.00 and court date was set for 02/16/2021.
The following persons are still wanted regarding outstanding charges; John Erwin Horton Jr. W/M, Age 28 and Christine Wilkins W/F, Age 28 for Felony Conspiracy and Possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
The investigation is continuing.
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Vance Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson shared his vision for the former Henderson Middle School campus recently with Vance County commissioners. The plan includes housing Vance Innovative Schools, as well as spaces for professional development and community use.
“We are excited about the impact this center will have for our staff, our students and in our community,” Jackson said in a written statement to WIZS. Originally unveiled to the school board in December 2020, Jackson shared the plan with commissioners at their Feb. 1 meeting.
Jackson predicts it will take $200,000 to replace the boiler in the main building and to make some cosmetic upgrades to other areas. That cost has been included in the district’s capital improvement budget; at this time, however, “we are not requesting any funding for the project from the county commissioners.”
The school opened in 1936; its last day as a middle school was in 2018, when the county’s two middle schools and two high schools were consolidated into one campus each. Vance County Middle School is located in the former Northern Vance High School. Since it ceased being a middle school, the former Henderson High School campus has housed several other school programs, but the new plan calls for a more comprehensive use of the space.
The building was in very good shape when the two middle schools consolidated, Jackson said, adding that the district had done a good job maintaining the building since then. Originally, the building was offered for sale, but with no immediate offers, Jackson said “instead of allowing it to fall into disrepair, we are using the space to meet district needs.”
Following is a list of specific programs and spaces that will be located in the building: (See map below)
This slide prepared by Vance County Schools shows a mapped overview of the Center for Innovation as presently planned. It was presented to Vance County Commissioners at a regular meeting by Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson on February 1, 2021.
— submitted by Lisa Harrison, Granville Vance District Health director
In a blast email from McGregor Hall in downtown Henderson, WIZS News has learned that the February gospel music concert planned has now been postponed until later in the year.
It’s because of covid.
The concert featuring the Perrys and the Kingsmen will now be presented on September 11th, 2021 at 2 p.m.
The email said, “Your safety is our top priority and we hope you will plan to join us in welcoming two of Gospel music’s greats on this new date!
“If you have any questions, please call the box office: (252) 598-0662”
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