Vance County Sheriff's Office

Watson Charged With Shooting Death of Brittany Pruitt

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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.

NCDOT

NCDOT Suspending Most Major Lane-Closing Projects for July 4 Holiday

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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:

  • Leave early. Travel at non-peak hours and use alternative routes to avoid the heaviest traffic congestion.
  • Stay alert. Even when work is paused, you may encounter narrowed lanes, shifts in traffic and lower speed limits through work zones.
  • Be patient.
  • Don’t drive drowsy. For extended drives, take frequent breaks to remain alert.
  • Don’t drive distracted. When drivers are not focused on the road, they react slowly to traffic conditions and are more likely to be involved in a crash.

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.

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Stock Up for July 4th at Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

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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)

 

Town Talk: Rescue Squad Chief Carpunky Provides Water Safety Tips – 07/02/19

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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.

 

Faith Dove

Emmanuel Community Church to Hold Special Sunday Service

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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.

News 07/02/19

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American Flag

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.