Vance County Sheriff's Office

Juvenile Took Loaded Gun To Clarke Elementary Thursday

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Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame informed WIZS News Friday evening that a juvenile took a loaded gun to Clarke Elementary School on Thursday.

In a press release earlier Friday, the Sheriff said, “On Thursday, June 13, 2019, Vance County Deputies were dispatched to Clarke Elementary School at 309 Mt. Carmel Church Road.”

When deputies arrived, it was discovered that a weapon had been found in the possession of a student.  Sheriff Brame’s press release continued saying, “School officials had possession of the weapon at the time of arrival.”

The student will be charged on petitions according to state law.  “He was placed into the custody of juvenile services,” Brame said in the press release.

The matter remains under investigation.

No other information is available at this time, including how the juvenile obtained the weapon and how adults who may be responsible in this matter will be charged.

Despite the fact that most citizens associate graduation weekend with the end of the school year, students in Vance County Public Schools went to school in several locations this week.

Vance County Logo

Special Vance Co. Commissioners Meeting 6 p.m. Monday

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— info courtesy Kelly Grissom, Clerk to the Board

Vance County Commissioners Chairman Archie B. Taylor, Jr. has called a special meeting for Monday, June 17, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room, Vance County Administration Building, 122 Young Street, Henderson,
NC. The purpose of the meeting is to:

  1. Adopt the FY 2019-20 Budget Ordinance
  2. Approve Salary Progression Plan Policy
  3. Other items as necessary

The Vance County Water District Board will also be called to order to adopt the FY 2019-20 Water District Budget Ordinance.

Vance County Policy and Procedure Manual – Salary Progression Plan

1.0 Purpose

To establish the guidelines for salary progression within established ranges dependent upon the completion of County service and performance.

2.0 Applicability

To all regular full-time County employees in a budgeted, salaried position.

3.0 Objective

  • To provide a mechanism to move career employees from the entry level hiring rate through the salary range
  • To motivate and reward employees who achieve performance objectives
  • To encourage the continued service of quality employees with Vance County

4.0 Guidelines

  • Every other fiscal year employees would be eligible for a merit increase based on performance measures and years of service. The salary adjustments will be effective the pay cycle following the employees’ anniversary.
  • Employee evaluations must be completed and received in a timely manner.

5.0 Eligibility

  • Two – Seven years up to 2% increase
  • Eight years and greater up to 1.5% increase
  • Increases are contingent upon available funding in the budget each year

*All eligibility is based on years of service and meeting certain performance measures

Other changes effective with this implementation:

  • Existing Longevity Plan – Employees with a date of hire 6/30/19 or prior will be grandfathered under the existing longevity plan.
  • EMS – Effective 7/1/19 all Paramedics will follow the new Salary Progression Plan. Those hired before 7/1/19 will be grandfathered under the existing merit program and will transition to the new Salary Progression Plan after five years of service. Paramedics hired with experience can be hired above the hiring rate with proper approval. These situations will be determined on as case-by-case basis.

 

H-V Chamber Logo

WOVEN: A Safe Community Starts With YOU

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— courtesy of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

Sandra Wilkerson, Director of Admin and Events, told WIZS News, “The 3rd WOVEN (Women of Vance Empowered Networking) is scheduled for July 16th. Lieutenant Jessica West, Henderson Police Department, will be the keynote speaker. Ladies, you don’t want to miss this enlightening topic…’A Safe Community Starts with You.’ ”

Call or email to register. $20.00 per person in advance.

sandra@hendersonvance.org — 252-438-8414

July 15th Forum About Autism Identification Changes

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— courtesy Vance County Schools

A forum for interested parents will be held for the North Central Region, which includes Vance County Schools, on the proposed Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilities, specifically, the changes in the evaluation and identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The forum will be held on Monday, July 15, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Butner-Stem Middle School at 501 East D Street in Butner.

All interested parents are invited to attend.

Vance County NC

Vance County FY 19-20 Budget CONSENSUS

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The Vance County Commissioners met Wednesday afternoon at 4 o’clock, and County Manager Jordan McMillan told WIZS News, “I believe we made progress this evening in finalizing the budget. The discussion tonight focused on the fire fund and the board reached a consensus to add equal funding for Epsom and Drewry.”

He said, “That means each would get $100,000 like the other departments. Also, as Drewry requested they would get a second part time position like the other departments. Epsom would get 1 part time position as they requested. These additions will take the fire tax up 2.5 cents which will make the fire tax 8.9 cents total. Also there was some discussion as to whether to pay for the VFD radios out of the general fund or the fire fund. The board consensus was for this to remain in the fire fund as recommended in the budget.”

McMillan said the conversation then shifted to the general fund and how the Rescue Squad should be funded.  McMillan wrote in his email to WIZS News, “When positions were added to the Sheriffs office I proposed cutting back the two part time positions designated for the Rescue Squad to assist in balancing the budget. This was not unanimous but there was a consensus to remove the funding for these two positions.”

He said, at the end of the day, the Volunteer Fire Departments should be satisfied with the funding and positions they are receiving.  “This is a big step forward for public safety in Vance County. Within two years the departments have moved to $100,000 funding from $60,600 and now this year they get an additional $87,326 for two part time positions during the week. This is unprecedented in our surrounding counties in terms of overall funding and the part time positions in all stations,” McMillan said.

The necessary budget ordinances will be prepared and the board will meet in a special called meeting Monday, June 17, 2019 at 6 p.m. in the Commissioner’s Meeting Room at the old courthouse downtown.

31 Retire From Vance County Schools

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— photo and information courtesy of Vance County Schools

A total of 31 associates with Vance County Schools were honored during the evening of June 12, at the school system’s Annual Retirement Banquet.

The event was held at the Henderson Country Club.

The Honorable Judge Caroline Burnette stands at the podium at the far left as she addresses retirees and guests at the Vance County Schools Annual Retirement Banquet.

The Honorable Judge Caroline Burnette, who is a 9th District Court judge, was the evening’s featured speaker. She offered the retirees encouraging words and reminded them to have fun. She stressed that they have dedicated their lives to help others and now it is time to do things for themselves.

Jan Vaughan, who retired last year as a teacher at Aycock Elementary School, spoke about her first year as a retiree. She told those now joining her in retirement to do things they enjoy and to remember that every day is Saturday.

School administrative leaders praised each of the retirees who worked with them. The administrators included Superintendent Anthony Jackson, Assistant Superintendent Trixie Brooks, principals in our schools and department directors. The honored associates were each given a handsome glass plaque to commemorate their years of service to our children, their colleagues and our schools.

Those honored for their retirement include:

Larry Alston of Zeb Vance Elementary School
Christine Ayscue of Vance County Middle School
Mamie Banks of Vance County High School
Carnetta Blakely of the Exceptional Children’s Department
Larry Bobbitt of the Exceptional Children’s Department
Willa Clark, director of the Career and Technical Education Program
Jeanette Cousin of L.B. Yancey Elementary School
Faye Crawford of E.M. Rollins Elementary School
Lisa Finch of New Hope Elementary School
Hye Griffin of Vance County High School
Louis Hargrove, Jr. of Dabney Elementary School
Terri Hedrick, Public Information Officer
Rosa Henderson of Vance County Middle School
Susan Hughes of Dabney Elementary School
Isabella Jenkins of E.O. Young, Jr. Elementary School
Nancy Lee of E.O. Young, Jr. Elementary School
Brenda LeMay of Clarke Elementary School
Barbara Lucas of Zeb Vance Elementary School
Michael Miller of Vance County High School
Alexa Molden of Clarke Elementary School
Randolph Oxendine of Carver Elementary School
Ingrid Palmer of Vance County Middle School
Crystal Richardson of Vance County Middle School
Dr. Alice Sallins of Dabney Elementary School
Alisa Salmon of the Maintenance Department
Claudette Scales, Pre-Kindergarten Coordinator
Cynthia Simpson of Zeb Vance Elementary School
LaRose Stainback of Zeb Vance Elementary School
Judy Tatum of Zeb Vance Elementary School
Barbara Vann of Vance County High School
Donna Vann of Dabney Elementary School

Town Talk: Vance County Schools News Program 06/13/19

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One of the two segments of TownTalk on Thursday, June 13 featured Terri Hedrick, Public Information Officer with Vance County Schools.  She said the 2018-2019 school year is complete at this point.

Click Here To Listen To TownTalk With Hedrick

There were three uplifting graduation ceremonies this spring resulting in almost 400 graduates from Vance County Public Schools.

VCHS Graduation Story

Early College High School Graduation Story

Advance Academy Graduation Story

Hedrick said the school system is so pleased with the school year, considering the changes with consolidation and how the challenges were met.

Following a safe and happy summer, remember the 2019-2020 school year starts early for three schools.  Vance County High School, Early College High School and EM Rollins, of which Rollins is year round, will start on Monday, August 5.

The first school day otherwise for the remaining schools still on the traditional calendar is Monday, August 26.  Open House is August 22.

And, over 900 school system employees will gather at McGregor Hall on Monday, August 19 for the annual convocation.

Click Here To Listen To TownTalk With Hedrick

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Progress Wants To Pass Fuel Savings On To NC Customers

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-Press release and additional information courtesy Tanya Evans, District Manager, Duke Energy

In an email to WIZS News and other media outlets, Evans said, “I am sharing a bit of good news regarding electric rates. Due to fuel savings achieved from the joint dispatch of our generation fleet (one of the advantages of the merger several years ago), we are proposing an adjustment to our fuel rate in order to pass those savings along to our customers.”

Duke Energy Progress files annual adjustments with North Carolina Utilities Commission for customers in North Carolina

If approved, typical residential customers will see their monthly bills go down $4.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Duke Energy Progress today made its annual filings with the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) for costs associated with fuel, compliance with the state’s renewable energy portfolio standard (REPS), cost recovery under the Joint Agency Asset Rider (JAAR), and implementation of energy efficiency (EE) and demand-side management (DSM) programs.

In its filing, Duke Energy Progress is proposing a decrease in monthly fuel costs as part of an annual adjustment of the actual cost of fuel used to power North Carolina homes and businesses through renewable, natural gas, nuclear and coal-fired generation. By law, the company makes no profit from the fuel component of rates.

The fuel rate is based on the projected cost of fuel used to provide electric service to the company’s customers, plus a true-up of the prior year’s projection. The NCUC is responsible for reviewing the actual fuel costs required to serve customers to ensure an accurate adjustment is made each year.

The percentage change on a typical bill would be an average decrease of 3.3 percent for residential customers, 4.4 percent for commercial customers and 1.9 percent for industrial customers. The total monthly impact of all rate changes for a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month would be a decrease of $4, from $120.95 to $116.95.

The new fuel, REPS and JAAR rates would go into effect Dec. 1, 2019, and the new EE and DSM rates would go into effect Jan. 1, 2020.

Helping customers save

Duke Energy Progress works to actively manage its fuel contracts to keep fuel costs as low as possible for customers. Savings achieved from the joint dispatch of Duke Energy’s generation fleet in the Carolinas also help to minimize the company’s fuel costs.

Duke Energy Progress is also committed to helping customers take control of their energy use and manage their bills. The company offers energy-saving tips and innovative efficiency programs for every budget to help customers realize additional savings.

For example, the Home Energy House Call is a free in-home energy assessment, valued at $180, designed to give Duke Energy customers more information about how they use energy in their home and strategies to save money on their monthly bill.

To learn more about these programs, visit duke-energy.com/savings.

Duke Energy Progress

Duke Energy Progress, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns nuclear, coal, natural gas, renewables and hydroelectric generation. That diverse fuel mix provides about 12,700 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 1.6 million customers in a 32,000-square-mile service area of North Carolina and South Carolina.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S. It employs 30,000 people and has an electric generating capacity of 51,000 megawatts through its regulated utilities, and 3,000 megawatts through its nonregulated Duke Energy Renewables unit.

Duke Energy is transforming its customers’ experience, modernizing the energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves. The Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit’s regulated utilities serve approximately 7.7 million retail electric customers in six states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. The Gas Utilities and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to more than 1.6 million customers in five states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The Duke Energy Renewables unit operates wind and solar generation facilities across the U.S., as well as energy storage and microgrid projects.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2019 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list, and Forbes’ 2019 “America’s Best Employers” list. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

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