News 12/18/19
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Vance Co. Middle School SRO Publicly Identified, Charged With Misdemeanors
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In a press conference held at the Vance County Courthouse earlier today, District Attorney Mike Waters announced the former school resource officer involved in last week’s assault on a Vance County Middle School student faces misdemeanor charges.
The officer, identified as Warren Durham of Warren County, is charged with misdemeanor assault on a child under 12, misdemeanor child abuse and willful failure to discharge his duties. All three charges carry a maximum penalty of 120 days in jail, according to Waters.
Fired from the Vance County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, Durham avoided felony charges due to the lack of serious bodily injury sustained by the student. Waters said while he was thankful that the child was not seriously harmed, the lack of injury limited the nature of the charges under current NC law.
In a video capturing the December 12 incident, Durham and the student can be seen walking down the school’s hallway. The deputy then turns to the student, picks him up, drops him to the ground and then repeats the process before dragging him down the hallway.
Waters said that he discussed the charges with the student’s family prior to the press conference and is aware that they are “disappointed and frustrated that this is not a felony case.”
When asked what led up to the assault, Waters said he did not know, and it did not matter. “I don’t think that there’s any kind of training or anything like that that would lead someone to act in that way with an 11-year-old.”
Vance County Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson addressed the community and the media in a separate press conference held yesterday, referring to the incident as an “unacceptable and egregious act.”
“As a school system, as an administrator, as a district, we are disappointed; as a community we are embarrassed. Most of all, we want to express our apologies to our community that this has occurred. We are better than this. This child deserved better than this. No child deserves to be treated in this manner.”
Jackson stated that the school system is providing support to the school, the student and his family and is modifying its agreement with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office in order to review all protocols and procedures moving forward.
Boyd Foundation’s Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society to Donate 50 Doghouses
THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
-Press Release, The Boyd Foundation Inc.’s Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC
The Boyd Foundation Inc.’s, Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC would like to donate fifty brand new doghouses to the citizens and animals of the City of Henderson, NC and Vance County.
We would like to ask for all Vance County Sheriff’s Officers, Henderson Police Department Officers, City and County Fire and EMS and State Highway Patrol Officers to take part in this opportunity to give back to our City and County in a way like never before.
We would like to offer these new doghouses to all Law Enforcement Officers, Emergency Service Providers, Elected Officials and personnel. When they see a dog that does not have adequate or sufficient housing that provides the animal proper shelter needed for the cold weather and winter months ahead, the officer or official can give that animal or the animal’s owner a brand new doghouse provided by Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC.
Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC is labeling this special initiative, “I’m In The Dog House,” and we would like to encourage any officer or official that gives a doghouse away to simply take a picture (selfie) with the animal or the owners (if the situation and circumstance allows) and share it on their social media outlets captioning each picture, “I’m In The Dog House” and ‘tagging’ Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC on Facebook and Instagram.
This also allows our local Law Enforcement to be recognized and seen for the amazing job and tasks they perform each and every day that so often go unnoticed. This will also bring local attention to the cause and work of Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC who promotes and advocates the importance of responsible pet and animal ownership and educates people on the importance of properly caring for animals.
These doghouses can be picked up at the Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC office located at 165 US 158 Bypass, Henderson, NC 27536 or an RCAPS volunteer will bring the dog house to the officer or official as needed. This will begin Friday, December 20, 2019.
As additional dog houses are needed, they will be made available through the month of January.
Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC would like to also thank our Animal Control Officer, Chief Frankie Nobles, and his wonderful officers and staff for their hard work and dedication to seeing the lives and circumstances of animals in Henderson, NC and Vance County changed for the better.
We look forward to this special effort along with the positive impact it will make on the people and animals of our city and county.
Sincerely,
Charles ‘Brandon’ Boyd
President,
The Boyd Foundation Inc.’s, Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC
‘LIKE’ Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC on Facebook
Instagram: RCAPS_HendersonNC
VCS Staff Graduates From Virtual Labs ‘zSpace’ Credentialing Program
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-Information courtesy Vance County Schools
Vance County Schools recently had staff graduate from the Vance Virtual Labs credentialing program. These forward-thinking educators committed to hours of professional development and in-lab coaching to be able to engage their students in the rich VR/AR learning experiences that zSpace has to offer.
(Vance Co. Schools photo)
Vance County Schools was also included in the zSpace Mid-Atlantic Holiday Highlight (excerpt below):
Vance County Schools’ leadership continues to find opportunities to move education forward with experiences and innovative practices in all areas of their educational programs. Recently, an 8th-grade science class at Vance County Middle School spent time in the zSpace lab with instructors from North Carolina State University, working on lesson extensions in their curriculum. This innovative space was designed to facilitate collaborative opportunities with higher education and industry partners.
Vance County Middle School, STEM Early High School, and Vance County High School all emphasize disrupting the normal educational environment by empowering students with experiences that are future-focused and personalized by topic and standards. zSpace provides the level of innovation needed to achieve that mission and foster collaborative relationships with industry partners in the community.
GrassStreet & The Larry Stephenson Band to Perform at McGregor Hall
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-Information courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center
A NIGHT OF BLUEGRASS: Featuring GrassStreet and The Larry Stephenson Band
Two great bands come together on the McGregor Hall stage for A NIGHT OF BLUEGRASS!
Local favorite GrassStreet has entertained fans since 2003 with their mix of original material and bluegrass standards. The Larry Stephenson Band has been entertaining audiences for thirty years including numerous performances on the Grand Ole Opry, RFD-TV, and as a headliner on festivals and concerts throughout the US and Canada.
Tickets for this event may be purchased by:
DROP-IN: 201 Breckenridge Street, Henderson, N.C. Monday – Friday 1:30 – 5:30 p.m
CALL: (252) 598-0662 (M-F 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.)
CLICK HERE: www.McGregorHall.org (Use the eTix official site, online fees apply)
(This is not a paid advertisement)
Town Talk 12/17/19
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News 12/17/19
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Vance Co. Schools Holds Press Conference on Middle School Incident
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Vance County Schools held a press conference this afternoon to address the December 12 incident involving a school resource officer and a Vance County Middle School student.
In a video widely circulated on social media, a Vance County Sheriff’s Office deputy and a male student can be seen walking down the school’s hallway. The deputy then appears to turn to the student, pick him up, drop him to the ground and then repeat the process before dragging him down the hallway.
The name of the deputy and the student have not been released at this time. In a press release sent earlier today, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office stated that the deputy is no longer employed in its service.
In the press conference, VCS Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson addressed the community and the media by calling the incident an “unacceptable and egregious act.”
“As a school system, as an administrator, as a district, we are disappointed; as a community we are embarrassed. Most of all, we want to express our apologies to our community that this has occurred. We are better than this. This child deserved better than this. No child deserves to be treated in this manner.”
Jackson stated that the school system is providing support to the school, the student and his family and is modifying its agreement with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office in order to review all protocols and procedures.
“We’re seeking the support of the NC Center for Safer Schools,” said Jackson. “We’re going to make sure that we do what is necessary for every single child that attends a school in Vance County to do so in a safe environment without any fear of anything close to this happening.”
Town Talk 12/16/19: Hibernia’s First Extended Camping Season Deemed a Success
THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Frank Timberlake, Lead Public Affairs with the Kerr Lake Park Watch, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.
Following up on a press release sent to WIZS in October, Timberlake was “thrilled” to announce that the first-ever extension of Hibernia’s camping season into late fall/early winter was deemed a success.
While Timberlake said he’d “love to have some totally accurate numbers” to share with listeners, he could report that within days of the NC State Parks & Recreation’s initial announcement of the extension, over 100 reservations were made.
Prior to this year, winter camping for Kerr Lake’s seven state recreational areas was restricted to certain parts of Nutbush and Satterwhite Point. For the 2019 season, Hibernia’s Area 2 remained open through December 2.
Hibernia previously closed around October 25 each year and reopened between March 15-20.
For nine years, Timberlake said the Kerr Lake Park Watch has advocated extending the camping season as an increasing number of RVs are equipped for cold-weather camping.
“I would like to see that season extended even further, at least until December 20,” said Timberlake. “Think about the people who might come to Christmas festivals, the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center and Christmas parades if they could bring their RV and stay at Kerr Lake.”
Timberlake believes longer seasons equals more than just happier campers, as he estimates that those camping on Kerr Lake contribute approximately $100 a day to the local economy.
“After you get past October, you don’t see a whole lot of week-long campers. A Thursday, Friday and Saturday night stay, or even a Friday and Saturday night stay, add to the coffers of the state. More than that, it adds to the economic impact of Vance, Warren and maybe even Granville counties,” explained Timberlake.
The Kerr Lake Park Watch has long maintained that the salaries for rangers, maintenance and support staff for the recreation areas go year-round, so more of the parks should be open for longer seasons.
“It wouldn’t cost more because the staff is already full-time. Another cost would be the electricity used, but that is covered in the campsite fees,” Timberlake stated.
The seven state recreational areas include Kimball Point, County Line, Bullocksville, Satterwhite Point, Nutbush, Hibernia and Henderson Point. For more information on each area, including a link to make online reservations, please click here.
For more information on the Kerr Lake Park Watch, visit www.kerrlakeparkwatch.org.
To hear the interview with Timberlake in its entirety, including more on the history and accomplishments of the Kerr Lake Park Watch, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
VGCC Honors 2019 Retirees at Holiday Event
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-Information courtesy Vance-Granville Community College
Vance-Granville Community College honored five employees that retired in 2019 at a holiday event held on Thursday, December 12 in the VGCC Civic Center.
Retirees and their years of service to VGCC included Phyllis Bynum, 14 years of service; Faith Harris, 14 years of service; June Kersey, 8 years of service; Tina Moll, 14 years of service and Vickie W. Watkins, 14 years of service.
Fellow VGCC employees spoke on behalf of the retirees and thanked each for their hard work, commitment, and invaluable contributions.
Vance-Granville Community College honored five employees that retired in 2019 at a holiday event held on Thursday, December 12 in the VGCC Civic Center. (Front row, left to right): Phyllis Bynum, VGCC President Rachel Desmarais, Ph.D., Faith Harris. (Back row, left to right): Tina Moll and Vickie West Watkins. Not pictured, June Kersey. (VGCC photo)