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Vance Co. Sheriff Offers Tips for a Safe July 4th Weekend

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-Press Release, Vance County Sheriff’s Office

With the July 4th weekend approaching, Vance County Sheriff Curtis R. Brame asks all citizens to join him in making this Fourth of July holiday happy, enjoyable and safe for everyone.

Vance County citizens should remember that fireworks, as enjoyable as they are to watch, can be dangerous and should only be handled by professionals. According to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission, there are nearly 13,000 emergency room-treated injuries associated with fireworks a year. You can enjoy a safe Fourth of July by following these safety tips:

  • Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
  • Keep a supply of water close-by as a precaution.
  • Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
  • Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.”
  • Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
  • Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
  • Stay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays.
  • Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.

Brame also wants citizens to use caution when swimming at a beach or at a pool. Brame said, “Sadly, most deaths from drowning occur within a few feet of safety. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim.”

The Red Cross offers swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To find out where lessons are offered, or to enroll in a CPR/AED or first aid course, contact your local Red Cross chapter,

Traditionally during the July 4th Holiday, NC highways experience one of the highest traffic flows of the year. Brame reminds all Vance County residents to follow these safety tips:

  • Always shift your attention every few seconds, constantly scanning the road ahead and behind you. Never blankly stare ahead nor fix your gaze on one point on the road.
  • When passing an automobile, always glance at the ground beside the front wheel of the car you intend to pass. You will know instantly if the car is about to veer – giving you an extra few seconds to respond.
  • You should pull out into the opposite lane of traffic when passing while you are still well behind the car in front. This should give you some time and space to build up speed and will enable you to pull back into your own lane should the need arise. Never cut abruptly out of your lane into the opposite lane when passing.
  • Always signal your intentions with your brake lights, turn signals, horn and/or headlights so that other drivers will see you well before you change course.
  • Drivers should always “aim high” in steering. That is, you should glance frequently at points well ahead of you. Not only will this help your steering, but it will also help you check the position of vehicles in front of you as well as on-coming ones.
  • Never follow too close. Remember that, as your speed increases, it takes you substantially longer to stop. Also remember that it’s good to have an extra cushion of space in front of you if you’re being tail-gated, on a slippery road, or in low visibility conditions.

“Lastly, I would remind all motorists to practice the Golden Rule when driving. Be courteous and tolerant of other drivers. Please don’t get angry with bad drivers or reckless ones – just get out of their way,” Brame said in closing.

“Let’s make this summer a safe one on the roads in Vance County.”

U.S. Department of Justice

Williams Sentenced in Federal Court on Drug, Ammunition Charges

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

Robert J. Higdon, Jr., the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that United States District Judge James C. Dever, III, sentenced CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS, 59, of Henderson to 57 months’ imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised released. Judge Dever also ordered that WILLIAMS’ one-third interest in his residence be forfeited to the federal government.

On March 11, 2019, WILLIAMS, pled guilty to two counts of distribution of cocaine base (crack), possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack), maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of distributing cocaine base (crack) and aiding and abetting, and being a felon in possession of ammunition.

In early 2018, WILLIAMS and others were identified by the Vance County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) as trafficking in narcotics out of his residence located at 310 Yancey Lane in Henderson, North Carolina. A series of controlled purchases of narcotics were made from WILLIAMS at that residence by a confidential informant.

Thereafter, VCSO sought and obtained a search warrant for WILLIAMS’ residence. Upon the execution of that warrant, VCSO encountered WILLIAMS with crack cocaine and ammunition. At the time of the offense, WILLIAMS was a convicted felon and, therefore, was prohibited from possessing ammunition or firearms.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Since 2017, the United States Department of Justice has reinvigorated the PSN program and has targeted violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

This case is also part of the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violence crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.

For more information about this initiative please click https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/tbnc.

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Dodson prosecuted the case for the government.

News releases are available on the U.S. Attorney’s webpage at https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc.

South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church

South Henderson Pentecostal to Present ‘July Bluegrass Gospel Jubilee’

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-Information courtesy South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church

My Sister’s Keeper Ministry presents “July Bluegrass Gospel Jubilee” hosted by Jimmy Barrier on Sunday, July 7, 2019, at 6 p.m.

The service will be held at South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church, 905 Americal Road in Henderson.

Admission is free. All proceeds to benefit women in need.

 

Laytons Named Rebuilding Hope’s July Spotlight Volunteers

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-Information courtesy Rebuilding Hope, Inc. 

While most RHI volunteers live nearby, Billy and Ann Layton travel a bit to serve the ministry. The Laytons drive 38 miles once a week to Henderson from their home in Nashville, N.C. While in Henderson, the couple stays in their travel trailer snuggled in a back corner at RHI.

No strangers to travel, the couple for a number of years worked as site coordinators for North Carolina Baptist Men in rebuilding homes after hurricanes and other disasters.

Ann and Billy Layton travel from Nashville each week to volunteer at Rebuilding Hope. (Photo courtesy RHI)

The Laytons got to know RHI founders Randolph and Gail Wilson through business connections and NCBM relief work.

Billy attended his first NCBM training in 1992, he says, and took several relief trips.

“In 2005, God spoke to me, and I began to get involved with NCBM again,” says Billy, who in 2012 closed his 25-year-old mobile home service business. Prior to his appointment as a rebuild site coordinator in 2011, trips to disaster areas found him taking care of equipment and coordinating shower and laundry operations.

“I enjoy helping those in need,” says Billy. “Most rewarding is being able to share the gospel with others by our actions.”

Billy says his service at RHI has included helping rebuild several homes and mobile homes, distributing materials at job sites and serving as a crew chief supervisor. He’s helped build the bunk, shower and gathering areas on the second floor of the warehouse.

“The first day I came to RHI with Billy, I thought I would just be helping him with whatever building projects he worked on,” says Ann. “On my first day, Randolph showed me around. When he was showing me the office area, he was telling me who used each one.”

“He stopped at one office and said, ‘This is where the new lady will be working.’ When I looked at him he had a big grin on his face, and I realized that he was talking about me. I spend most of my time on the computer but do get to help Billy a little bit.”

RHI, the couple says, is a ministry where volunteers are welcome regardless of their skill levels.

“The only request is that they represent God in a godly way in all they do,” the Laytons say.

Billy and Ann are members of Momeyer Baptist Church in Nashville where he serves as a deacon and mission trip crew leader and assists with maintenance.

The couple has three children and three grandchildren and enjoys spending time with family at Lake Gaston.

Henderson Fire Dept

Town Talk: HFD’s Captain Edmonds Talks Fireworks Safety – 07/01/19

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Lee Edmonds with the Henderson Fire Department was on Monday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss fireworks safety in light of July 4th celebrations.

Edmonds said his best advice is to leave fireworks to the professionals by planning to attend one of the many events taking place in the four-county area over the next few days.

In NC, many fireworks are illegal, including those that explode and project into the area. Even the few that are legal, including sparklers, can be an extreme fire and safety hazard, according to Edmonds.

“Sparklers do burn very hot; water boils at 212 degrees and the tips of sparklers can reach 1,200 degrees.”

Legal fireworks include snake and glow worms, smoke devices, snappers, string poppers and wire sparklers.

For more safety tips from the National Safety Council, click here.

To hear the interview with Edmonds in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.

 

News 07/01/19

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Over 160 Gather for Week-Long Servants on Site Mission

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-Information and photos courtesy Rebuilding Hope, Inc. 

More than 160 youth and their leaders took part in Rebuilding Hope’s seventh annual Servants on Site week.

The summer mission camp provides opportunities for teams to use home repairs to meet the physical needs of people in the community while sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Youth and their leaders gather on the first day of camp to hear instructions for the week. (RHI photo)

The 2019 workload included replacing 13 roofs, building six wheelchair ramps and making three home repairs.

“By sharing the gospel through both actions and words, we seek to demonstrate the hope and power of the living Christ,” said RHI coordinator Randolph Wilson. “Our goal is not only to rebuild homes, but also to rebuild lives and hearts.”

Participants, who were organized into 16 crews, came from around the state and South Carolina

The group from Windy Gap Baptist Church in Franklin, N.C., numbered 23.

Brian Browning, a Windy Gap member, says SOS has “tremendous value” as it “lets kids have the opportunity to work together. The greatest opportunity is sharing Jesus.”

Mitch Callaway and 13 others came from Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in State Road, N.C.

SOS teens and leaders build a wheelchair ramp on Hargrove Street in Henderson. It was one of six ramps campers built in our communities. (RHI photo)

Clarence Bigler from Norlina Baptist Church participated in his first SOS.

“I’m impressed and enlightened,” he said. “I’ve been so many places and seen so many things, and this is encouraging.”

Students enjoyed themselves, too.

Dillan Carter from Norlina Baptist Church, on his first SOS mission, said, “I find it very joyful. I don’t mind the hard work and doing for people who can’t.”

Carson Ball from Franklinton Baptist Church, also on his first SOS trip, said, “People have an abandonment feeling and our job is to tell them they’re not alone.”

Abby Callaway of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in State Road has been to all seven camps. “I’ve grown up doing this,” said Abby, who is now a crew motivator.

Reiley Green from Newman Chapel Baptist Church in Franklin was on her third SOS mission. “I like it. Meeting new people and having fun while learning about Christ.”

Following dinner, campers gathered for a time of praise and worship at Central Baptist Church. (RHI photo)

Younger SOS participants are seventh through twelfth graders. Older participants through college-age serve in leadership roles. Lodging is provided at Crossroads Christian School in Henderson. The SOS staff includes security and medical personnel.

Breakfast and dinner are provided at Central Baptist Church, where evening worship services are held. Host churches provide lunches at the job sites.

SOS is an extension of Rebuilding Hope Inc. and is a tool for churches to mobilize, equip and disciple students and adults in an evangelistic effort to impact a lost and fallen world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

 

Henderson Vance Recreation & Parks

Youth Invited to ‘Fish With a Firefighter’ at Fox Pond Park

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-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center

Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department, the City of Henderson and the Vance County Fire Department present three days of “Fishing With a Firefighter.” This is a free program to enhance youth participation in fishing while enjoying real-life conversations.

The program will be held at Fox Pond Park on Wednesday, July 10, 17 and 24, 2019, beginning at 9:30 a.m. each day. The park is located at 375 Vicksboro Rd, Henderson.

The program is open to youth ages 5-18; advanced registration is required.

With questions or to register, please contact Greg Kelly at (252) 431-6099 (gkelly@ci.henderson.nc.us) or Tara Goolsby at (252) 438-3948 (tgoolsby@ci.henderson.nc.us).

VCRFM Memorial Garden

Vance/Warren Master Gardener Program to Hold Open House

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-Information courtesy Paul McKenzie, Agricultural Extension Agent, NC Cooperative Extension

If you have ever contemplated becoming a volunteer in the Master Gardener program, this is your chance! The Vance/Warren Master Gardener program will hold an Open House on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.

The public is invited to drop by to meet members of our group and learn more about how to become a volunteer. Applications will be available and light refreshments will be served.

The biennial training class will be held on Tuesday mornings beginning in late July and ending in early November. Upon completion of training, participants are required to contribute 40 hours of service in the Master Gardener program.

Projects include publishing a newsletter, educational workshops, demonstration gardens, public speaking, youth education and more.

For more information, contact paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu or call 252-438-8188 (Vance) or 252-257-3640 (Warren). A flyer with all the details and an application form are available at this link.

SUMMER EDITION OF THE GARDEN PATH NEWSLETTER

Be sure to download the summer 2019 edition of our Garden Path Newsletter. The current issue has lots of great information about rain gardens, insect pests, growing succulents, monthly tips and more! Download your copy from this link.

News 06/28/19

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