U.S. Department of Justice

Help Florence Victims, NOT Scammers

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— courtesy of The United States Department of Justice and The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina

Department of Justice Reminds the Public to Be Aware of Fraud When Disaster Strikes and Report it to the National Center for Disaster Fraud – (866) 720-5721

RALEIGH – The Department of Justice established the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, when billions of dollars in federal disaster relief poured into the Gulf Coast region, which opened opportunities for criminals to exploit people during vulnerable times. The NCDF, a national coordinating agency within the Department’s Criminal Division, operates a call center at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and serves as a centralized clearinghouse for disaster fraud complaints and information relating to both natural and man-made disasters. The NCDF seeks to improve and further the detection, prevention, investigation, and prosecution of fraud related to natural and man-made disasters, and to advocate for victims of such fraud. More than 20 federal, state, and local agencies participate in the NCDF, which allows them to forward complaints to the appropriate agency for investigation.

“In the aftermath of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Florence the affected communities and citizens of Eastern North Carolina should be on guard against disaster fraud schemes,” said Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. “As FEMA and other federal, state, and local relief agencies work tirelessly to support those who have suffered losses as the result of this natural disaster, we can be certain that criminals will target those impacted and attempt to profit from the suffering of others. The Department of Justice is committed to detecting and stopping this type of fraud. Through the National Center for Disaster Fraud, and in conjunction with our law enforcement partners, we are working to aggressively prosecute the offenders.”

While compassion, assistance, and solidarity are generally prevalent in the aftermath of natural disasters, unscrupulous individuals and organizations also use these tragic events to take advantage of those in need. Examples of illegal activity being reported to the NCDF and law enforcement include:

FEMA fraud;
Identity theft;
Contractor fraud;
Charity fraud; and,
Impersonation of government officials.

The NCDF reminds the public to be aware of and report any instances of alleged fraudulent activity related to relief operations and funding for victims. Members of the public are reminded to apply a critical eye and do their due diligence before trusting anyone purporting to be working on behalf of disaster victims and before giving contributions to anyone soliciting donations on behalf of disaster victims. The public is also reminded to be extremely cautious before providing personal identifying or financial information to anyone, especially those who may contact you after a natural disaster.

Unfortunately, criminals can exploit disasters, such as Hurricane Florence, for their own gain by sending fraudulent communications through email or social media and by creating phony websites designed to solicit contributions. Tips should be reported to the NCDF at (866) 720-5721. The line is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Additionally, e-mails can be sent to disaster@leo.gov, and information can be faxed to (225) 334-4707.

Learn more about the NCDF at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud and watch a public service announcement from United States Attorney Higdon here (link is external). Within the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Deputy Criminal Chief Felice Corpening serves as the Disaster Fraud Coordinator. Working with the NCDF and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, Deputy Criminal Chief Corpening oversees the federal prosecution and investigation of disaster fraud matters impacting Eastern North Carolina. Violations of North Carolina state disaster fraud laws are handled by the North Carolina Department of Justice’s (NCDOJ) Consumer Protection Division. The NCDOJ Consumer Protection Division may be contacted at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM (1-877-566-7226) or by visiting www.ncdoj.gov/complaint.

Tips for the public on how to avoid being victimized by fraud are available at https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/tips-avoiding-fraudulent-charitable-contribution-schemes.

Vance Co. Schools’ ‘We Inspire’ Initiative Drafts 45 Educators

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools hosted a special event on October 1, 2018, in the school system’s Administrative Services Center for members of the third cohort for the “We Inspire” initiative.

The event entitled, “Draft Day,” marked the beginning of the local educators’ participation in the initiative.

Superintendent Anthony Jackson recognized each of the 45 educators as they marched down the red carpet to sign the commitment pledge and receive their “We Inspire” shirt.

Superintendent Anthony Jackson gets cheers and waving pom-poms in the crowd as “Draft Day” begins for local educators in the school system’s classroom technology initiative. (Photo Credit: Vance County Schools)

They will now go through several training sessions during the school year so that they can become leaders in their schools to share strategies with colleagues on the effective use of technology to enhance classroom instruction.

The training costs are covered by a $200,000 grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation and sessions are led by representatives of the Friday Institute at N.C. State University.

Those in the third cohort join about 100 other local educators who went through the first two years of training to lead blended learning efforts in their schools. Once fully trained by the Friday Institute facilitators, the educators can work with fellow staff members in their schools to develop effective strategies on using technology along with classroom instruction.

The “We Inspire” initiative is part of the school system’s overall technology plan to increase usage of technology to support instruction by teachers. The key focus of the initiative is to provide quality training for teachers so that their use of technology with students is a positive boost for academic performance.

Volunteer Services of MPH Announces Upcoming $5 Masquerade Sale

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-Information courtesy Lisa Radford, Volunteer Coordinator, Maria Parham Health

Volunteer Services of Maria Parham Health announces their ever famous $5 Masquerade Sale on Wednesday, October 17, 2018, from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Thursday, October 18, 2018, from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Everything is $5!  Necklaces, earrings, rings, watches, scarves, gadgets, ties, gifts for children and adults.  The sale will be held in the John T. Church classroom.

Come experience the FRENZY!

(This is not a paid advertisement)

North Henderson Baptist to Hold Yard/Bake Sale, Country Breakfast

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-Information courtesy Catherine Abbott, North Henderson Baptist Church

North Henderson Baptist Church, 1211 N. Garnett St., will hold a Yard/Bake Sale and Country Breakfast on Saturday, October 6, 2018, from 7 – 11 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

The event will be held rain or shine and all proceeds go to benefit Relay for Life/American Cancer Society.

Contacts: Catherine Abbott (252) 430-9631 or Sylvia Spain (252) 425-1862.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

News 10/02/18

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Downtown Henderson’s ‘Show, Shine, Shag & Dine’ to Feature Annual Corbitt Truck Show

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-Information and flyer courtesy Ken Stegall, The Corbitt Preservation Association

The Corbitt Preservation Association will host their 17th Annual Corbitt Truck Show and Reunion on Saturday, October 20, 2018, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Historic Downtown Henderson. This year, the Corbitt group will set up in their new location on the corner of Garnett and Montgomery Streets.

The show is being held in conjunction with Vance County Tourism’s 2018 Show, Shine, Shag & Dine event.

Additionally, the Corbitt Museum will be open to visitors on Saturday, October 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum is located at 180 Church Street, Henderson.

For more information regarding the Show, Shine, Shag & Dine weekend, including a schedule of events, please click here.

 

Watkins Volunteer Fire Dept. to Hold BBQ Chicken/Pork Fundraiser

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-Information and flyer courtesy Watkins Volunteer Fire Dept.

The Watkins Volunteer Fire Department will hold a BBQ Chicken and Pork Fundraiser on Friday, October 5, 2018, starting at 11 a.m.

Chicken or BBQ Pork Plate – $8

Chicken/BBQ Pork Combo Plate – $12

1-pound BBQ Pork – $8

Plates come with boiled potatoes, slaw, bread and dessert and are eat in or take out.

Location: Watkins Fire Department – 1590 Horseshoe Bend Road, Henderson

(This is not a paid advertisement)

 

Registration Underway for Rebuilding Hope’s Annual Men & Boy’s Ministry Weekend

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-Information courtesy Rebuilding Hope, Inc.

Registration is underway for Rebuilding Hope’s 8th Annual Men and Boys Ministry Weekend.

The weekend begins with a meal and worship service at 6 p.m. on Friday, October 19, 2018, at Rebuilding Hope, 414 Raleigh Road in Henderson.

A worship service led by the Rev. Joel Beckham, pastor of New Life Baptist Church, Henderson, will follow the meal. He will speak on “Biblical Mentorship.”

Participants will gather at 8 a.m. Saturday, October 20 at Rebuilding Hope to make up teams and receive assignments for hands-on projects in the communities served by the ministry.

Men are encouraged to bring their sons and grandsons and their friends, as well as their neighbors.

For information and to register, call (252) 438-5132. The deadline for registration is Monday, October 15. There is no cost.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Vance County High School

VIPERS FALL TO RIVERSIDE IN DURHAM 33-6

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VIPERS FALL TO RIVERSIDE IN DURHAM 33-6

After reaching the high point of their 2018 football season with a 36-6 victory over Roanoke Rapids last Monday, Vance County fell to a new low point just 4 days later.  The Vipers, who had scored at least three touchdowns in each of their first 5 games, were nearly shut out by 4A Riverside in Durham 33-6 on Friday night.

Even without their leading rusher, the Pirates’ running game proved too much for the Viper defense, which had some good stops – more than in their first four outings, but not nearly as many as they had against Roanoke Rapids.  Although still in the game at halftime, when Riverside led 14-0, the Viper passing game never really got off the ground, and the Pirate running game seemed to get stronger.

VC’s defense scored the sole Viper TD early in the third quarter on a fumble recovery and 50-yard scoring run by Noah Terry, narrowing the Pirate lead to 14-6, but Riverside dominated the rest of the game.  Vance County is now 1-5 overall and 1-1 in the Northern Carolina 2A, and they return to conference play at home against Bunn this coming Friday.

Next Broadcast of Vance County Friday Night Football will be this Friday (10-5-18) vs. Bunn Wildcats. Tune in right here at WIZS 100.1 FM / 1450 AM and streaming live anytime, anywhere at www.wizs.com.

News 10/01/18

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