Vance Co. Middle School Assistant Principal Suspended in Second Assault Investigation

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Statement from Vance County Schools:

We, along with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, have reviewed the footage from the second incident reported to us. District officials have met with the family and offered academic support, resources, counseling and other educational setting options to the student.

Vance County Schools did suspend the assistant principal in question, pending the outcome of the investigation.

The personnel directory information is as follows:

Employee Name: Kevin Ross

Age: 48 yrs

Date of Employment: January 11, 2018

– Mr. Ross has served as an assistant principal on the secondary level since being hired.

– Currently, he is an assistant principal at Vance County Middle School.

– He is on a standard administrative contract.

– Annual Salary $71,400.

– He is currently suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

We want to give assurance to everyone in our community that we are following all local and state policies and reviewing procedures and processes. The safety and welfare of our students is always a top priority in Vance County Schools.

Vance County Sheriff's Office

VCSO: ‘No Merit’ to Separate Allegation Against SRO Deputy Durham

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-Press Release, Vance County Sheriff’s Office

On December 13, 2019, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office received a citizen complaint concerning an alleged incident on December 12, 2019, between a minor child and SRO Deputy Durham and others, which was separate from the previously reported incident. 

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office takes all citizen complaints seriously, as we have this one. Based upon the facts provided, we have reviewed video for the time before, during and after the time period alleged.

Based upon our review of this video, we can find no merit to allegations as provided to us, and further, we can find no interaction that rises to levels alleged.

Town Talk 12/19/19: Daeke Talks City Growth, ‘New Energy’ of Council

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Garry Daeke, Henderson City Council member and Franklin-Granville-Vance Development Coordinator, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.

Daeke discussed the recent swearing-in of newly elected City Council officials and said he is encouraged by the “slow but steady progress” he has seen with the City, especially over the past year.

Recent collaborations between the City, County, Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission and Downtown Development Commission have led, in part, to new businesses opening in both the downtown and Dabney Drive areas of Henderson, the approval of construction plans on an outdoor pavilion to be located near McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center and inquiries from outside businesses interested in Henderson, Daeke reported.

“There’s a lot going on with the City; we are going through some exciting times with growth right now,” said Daeke. There’s a new energy and new things happening that I feel really good about.”

To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Vance County Sheriff's Office

Officers Responding to Vehicle Accident Find Victim Shot Multiple Times

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-Press Release, Vance County Sheriff’s Office

On Wednesday, December 18, 2019, at 5:48 p.m., the Vance County Sheriff’s Office responded to 172 Mansfield Lane regarding a motor vehicle accident. Once fire and EMS personnel arrived at the scene and pulled the victim out of the car, they noticed the victim had been shot several times.

The victim was transported to Maria Parham Health located at 566 Ruin Creek Road, Henderson, North Carolina 27536. The known male was pronounced dead at Maria Parham Health at 6:38 p.m.

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to assist in this investigation.

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information regarding this incident. Please contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at 252–738-2200. This investigation is continuing.

H-V Chamber Logo

H-V Chamber to Present ‘New & Exciting’ Program for Annual Membership Banquet

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-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

The Board of Directors of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce cordially invites you to attend the Annual Membership Meeting and Banquet on Thursday, January 30, 2020.

The banquet will be held at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center from 5 until 8:30 p.m. and will feature a “new and exciting program developed by the planning committee.”

Join the Chamber in celebrating 82 years of business achievements with Presenting Sponsor Duke Energy.

A social will be held from 5 to 5:45 p.m., with dinner and program to follow from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Banquet includes appetizers and a hot beverage bar.

Enjoy entertainment by “The Just Friends Jazz Group” and try your luck at winning a door prize.

Highlights of the evening will include the 2019 business accomplishments, the Chamber’s vision for moving the community forward in 2020 and the much anticipated Ambassador of the Year and Vance County Citizen of the Year awards.

The cost is $35 per person, with reserved tables of 10 available for $320.

Please reserve tickets and tables as early as possible, and no later than January 23, by calling the Chamber Office at (252) 438-8414 or emailing sandra@hendersonvance.org.

Sponsorships are available and may be finalized by contacting the Chamber.

VGCC’s Psychology Club Completes First Food Drive for ACTS

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-Information courtesy Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College’s Psychology Club recently completed its first food drive. The organization hopes to make this a periodic event.

The Psychology Club collected canned goods and non-perishable items from November 12 to December 13 and received over 489 items, all of which were donated to Area Christians Together in Service (ACTS), which is located in Henderson, N.C.

VGCC students who would like more information about the Psychology Club can contact Sharon O’Geary at (252) 738-3419.

The VGCC Psychology Club poses with items donated during their first food drive before delivering them to Area Christians Together in Service (ACTS) located in Henderson, N.C. Pictured, from left: Sonya Barnes, Norma Martinez, Haley Moore, Alvin Foster, Cody Greene and Sharon O’Geary-Advisor/Psychology Instructor. (VGCC photo)

News 12/19/19

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Vance County Sheriff's Office

Resident of Sombrero Lane Shot Multiple Times; Authorities Seek Info.

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-Press Release, Vance County Sheriff’s Office

On Monday, December 16, 2019, at 11:28 p.m. the Vance County Sheriff’s Office responded to 137 Sombrero Lane, Henderson, North Carolina 27536 in reference to an Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury with the Intent to Kill.

While Deputies were in transit they were flagged down by a vehicle on NC 39 North. Deputies made contact with the victims in the vehicle. They were the same persons from 137 Sombrero Lane Henderson, North Carolina.

Deputies identified a known male that had suffered several gunshot wounds to his body. This male was transported by Vance County EMS to Maria Parham Health located at 566 Ruin Creek Road in Henderson and later airlifted to Duke Medical Center.

The Vance County Sheriff‘s Office is seeking information regarding this incident. Please contact the Vance County Sheriff‘s Office at 252–738 2200. This investigation is continuing.

Vance Co. Board of Education Urging the State to Take Action

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy Vance County Schools

At its December 9 meeting, the Vance County Board of Education approved a resolution urging the State to take action to remit civil penalties unconstitutionally withheld from North Carolina public schools.

The North Carolina Supreme Court ruled that under Article IX, Section 7 of the NC Constitution, public schools are entitled to the clear proceeds of specific civil penalties collected by various state agencies.

The Vance County Board of Education respectfully requests the General Assembly to approve during its January 2020 session a multi-year plan to pay the remaining $729.7 million judgment for civil penalties that should have gone to public school units for school technology but were instead diverted to other purposes in violation of the North Carolina Constitution.

According to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), in 2018-2019 only 38% of North Carolina’s 115 local school districts reported having achieved the State’s 4-year replacement goal for student devices.

More than 30% of school districts in 2018-19 reported having no resources budgeted for replacement devices.

Downtown Henderson

Town Talk 12/18/19: Jarvis Provides H-V Economic Development Updates

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Dennis Jarvis, II, director of the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m. to provide updates related to the HVEDC.

Jarvis said it was announced at yesterday’s Downtown Development Board meeting that the City plans to submit its application to reinstate downtown to Main Street Program status by the second quarter of 2020.

A part of the Main Street Program from the mid-1980s until approximately 2010, a lapse in the completion of requirements cost the downtown area the coveted distinction.

The City has been working diligently towards completing the requirements of reinstatement, Jarvis said, not the least of which was the recent hiring of full-time Downtown Development Director Kathy Walters.

Benefits to achieving Main Street status include technical assistance with building restoration and access to grant money, perks that can go a long way to attracting new businesses to downtown and helping existing businesses renovate.

Funds and assistance from the program will enhance a revitalization movement that is already visibly coming together, an accomplishment that Jarvis said can be seen in the recent opening of Sadie’s Coffee Corner, Calico Paw Books & Gifts, Citizens’ Pub and Grill and the recent relocation of Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant.

Jarvis reported that Dr. Stephen Pearson, co-owner of Sadie’s Coffee Corner, told the EDC Board at its Tuesday meeting that he is considering opening a second business venture downtown and is interested in joining the Board to assist with the revitalization effort.

It takes entrepreneurs investing in the local area, and for the community to support those local businesses, to keep the economy healthy, Jarvis stated.

“The central business district is a driver of things that come off your arteries – US-1 and I-85,” he said. “In the city, we’ve seen Aldi, the announcement of a Biscuitville and a Starbucks and Planet Fitness. All these things drive the local economy forward; entrepreneurs see the ability to grow and invest here instead of elsewhere.”

To hear the interview with Jarvis in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.