News 07/03/19
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-Press Release, Vance County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Curtis R. Brame announced that on Friday, June 28, 2019, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office charged Patrick Watson, age 22 of 1262 Stewart Farm Road, Henderson, NC with the shooting death of Brittany Pruitt.
On June 10, 2019, Ms. Pruitt was found dead from a gunshot wound inside Watson’s residence.
The arrest is the result of a cooperative investigation that included the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, the NC State Bureau of Investigations, the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office.
Watson is currently in the Vance County Jail without bond.
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-Press Release, NCDOT
To ensure the most efficient travel for North Carolina drivers over the July 4 holiday, the N.C. Department of Transportation will suspend most road construction projects that cause lane closures on major routes across the state.
Where possible, closed lanes will be opened from the morning of Wednesday, July 3, through the evening of Friday, July 5. There are some locations where the type of construction or the project status will not allow an opening for safety reasons.
Heavy traffic is also expected on Sunday, July 7, particularly on interstates. NCDOT is reviewing any lane closures that may be planned that day for primary routes and could extend the lane closure restrictions at those locations to avoid potential traffic backups.
Drivers can check the status of the route they plan to take in advance by going to DriveNC.gov. They can also follow NCDOT on Twitter to track travel updates by region or route.
NCDOT encourages drivers to follow these tips to navigate the roads safely over the holiday:
The July 4 holiday is also a time for law enforcement to crack down on drunk driving. The N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program started its Operation Firecracker campaign this week, geared toward catching people who are driving under the influence.
Sobriety checkpoints will be in place in all 100 counties through Sunday, July 7, to keep impaired drivers off the roads for their safety and the safety of others.
If you plan to drink over the holiday period, NCDOT and GHSP strongly urge you to call a friend, use a ride-share service or take a cab – just don’t drive drunk.
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Vance County Regional Farmers Market (VCRFM) invites you to stop by tomorrow and stock up on all of your Fourth of July cookout needs. The market will be open from 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3.
According to Tracy Madigan, market manager, a variety of meats including pasture-raised pork, beef, hamburgers, hotdogs and Boston Butt will be available.
Madigan, who was on air for a segment of Tuesday’s Town Talk edition, said fresh, local tomatoes are now available at the market and are always a fan-favorite. “We have Heirloom, Celebrity, Better Boy and other varieties,” said Madigan. “Everyone looks forward to the fresh tomatoes coming in.”
Fresh vegetables, including zucchini, squash, beets, turnips, string beans and corn, will also be available Wednesday.
In addition to the current selection of summer fruits, Madigan announced the arrival of the always popular Ridgeway cantaloupes to the market on Saturday, July 6.
Those that are having weekend cookouts will find an equally impressive selection of meats, produce, sauces and baked goods on Saturday. “If you decide to do your hamburgers on the 4th, well go on and throw a steak on the grill on Saturday,” Madigan said.
The VCRFM is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. SNAP/EBT are welcomed.
The market is located at 210 Southpark Drive in Henderson, NC.
Contacts:
Market Manager: Tracy Madigan – (252) 598-0814
Extension Agent: Paul McKenzie – (252) 438-8188
(This is not a paid advertisement)
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With scorching hot temperatures and the July 4th holiday upon us, many local residents are planning activities at a lake, beach or a swimming pool.
Vance County Rescue Squad Chief Doyle Carpunky was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the best ways to stay safe in and around the water this summer.
“The biggest things are to wear a life jacket, never go swimming alone and be mindful of designated swimming areas and weather conditions,” said Carpunky.
For more safety tips from the National Safety Council, click here.
To hear the interview with Carpunky 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.
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Emmanuel Community Church will hold a special service on Sunday, July 7, 2019, at 11 a.m.
Led by Bishop William C. Harrison, Jr. and Rhonda Hanks, guest speakers for the service will include Evangelist Brenda Cheek of Henderson and Pastor Kenneth Bender of Warrenton.
The service will also feature the Emmanuel Community Church Choir, with a solo by Sister Crystal Cheek of Henderson.
The public is invited to attend.
The church is located at 216 Chestnut Street in Henderson, NC. For more information, please call (252) 213-0011.
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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:
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:
“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.”
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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.
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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.