Henderson Police Arrest Two Oxford Residents Suspected in String of Robberies

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-Press Release, Henderson Police Department

On November 14, 2018, around 8:30 a.m., officers with the Henderson Police Department located the vehicle matching the description of the vehicle used in a string of robbery incidents throughout the region.

The officers conducted a traffic stop and the occupants were detained pending further investigation.  Another individual identified as being involved in the robberies was located at an area hotel and detained.

The Henderson Police Department contacted investigators with Butner Public Safety and through a collaborative investigative effort, Quavon Henderson, 18, of 101 Dove Road Oxford, NC and Robert Dylan West, 21, of 101 Dove Road Oxford, NC were identified as the suspects involved in various robberies that have occurred in Henderson, Butner, Wake Forest, and in South Hill, Virginia.

Quavon Latrell Henderson and Robert Dylan West were identified as the suspects involved in various robberies that have occurred in Henderson, Butner, Wake Forest, and in South Hill, Virginia between Nov. 6 and Nov. 13, 2018. (Photo Credit: HPD)

These incidents occurred between November 6, 2018, and November 13, 2018.

The following charges were obtained on Quavon Henderson: three counts of felony conspiracy to commit common law robbery; two counts of common law robbery; one count of attempted common law robbery; one count of felony breaking and entering; and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor/neglect due to a two-year-old being present during the offense.

Quavon Henderson received a $150,000 secured bond pending a court hearing on November 27, 2018.

The following charges were obtained on Robert Dylan West: three counts of felony conspiracy to commit common law robbery; two counts of common law robbery; one count of attempted common law robbery; and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor/neglect due to a two-year-old being present during the offense.

Robert Dylan West received a $200,000 secured bond pending a court hearing on November 27, 2018.

If anyone has any additional information related to these cases or other cases, please contact the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141, Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925, or use the P3 app on a smartphone or tablet device. Callers may remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers offers rewards for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of suspects involved in criminal acts.

Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Don’t Miss VCRFM’s Handcrafted Holiday Market – Sat. Nov. 17

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-Information courtesy Tracy Madigan, Market Manager, Vance County Regional Farmers Market

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market Handcrafted Holiday Market will be held Saturday, November 17, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. The annual event will feature some of the area’s best craftsmen, artists, bakers and farmers.In addition to fantastic fresh fall produce, meats, eggs, local honey, jams, jellies, sauces, baked goods and plants, there will be 25 craft vendors with one-of-a-kind handmade items. Find the perfect gift for that special someone, or even yourself! Peruse the vast array of unique handmade crafts including knitwear, glassware, pottery, candles, soaps, wines, wreaths, woodcrafts, jewelry, original artwork and much more.

Grab breakfast, brunch or lunch during your visit at Gavin’s Grub Hub. Chef Gavin Jackson will be serving a number of delicious meal choices to suit any palate.

Check out the array of delectable desserts entered in The Daily Dispatch’s Taste of Tri-County Dessert Contest. Entries will be on display in the farmers market classroom. The judging will be from noon to 1:00 p.m.

The fall produce season is in full swing with a variety of fresh, locally grown produce available. Apples, beef, beets, butter beans, butternut squash, cabbage, collards, eggs, eggplant, fresh herbs, mixed greens, mustard greens, onions, pork, potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, turnip greens, and sweet potatoes, are just a few of the tasty foods you will find at the market.

Fill your pantry with baked goods, local wines, canned vegetables, chow-chow, sauces, jams and preserves, honey and molasses.

Meet and mingle with your friends and neighbors in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere while you shop. Be sure to ask the vendors about their produce and products and leave knowing you have purchased the freshest foods and most unique crafts our area has to offer.

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr. off of Beckford Dr. and is open Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. through December 8, 2018.

Contacts: 
Market Manager: Tracy Madigan @ 252-598-0814
Extension Agent: Paul McKenzie @ 252-438-8188
(This is not a paid advertisement)

Zeb Vance Ruritan Club Selling Boston Butts for Thanksgiving

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-Information courtesy Edward Woodlief, Zeb Vance Ruritan Club

The Zeb Vance Ruritan Club will be cooking and selling Boston Butts for Thanksgiving; pre-sale only – $25.00. Orders must be in by Sunday, November 18.

They will be ready for pickup on Wednesday, November 21 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Bearpond Fire Department parking lot at 325 Bearpond Rd. in Henderson. Contact any Ruritan member or call 252-767-4044.

Proceeds to benefit local student scholarships and club projects.

News 11/15/18

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McGregor Hall

McGregor Hall’s Popularity Continues to Grow, Study to Determine Economic Impact

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While the next step in the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation’s quest to conduct an economic impact study of the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center on Henderson and the surrounding area is likely a formality, what is needed now is a contract with N.C. State University’s Department of Public Administration and its respective professors.

WIZS News conversations with Vance County Commission Chair Tommy Hester, who seems to have been the visible spearhead of this particular effort, reveal that the $17,500 to fund the study has been obtained by private, anonymous donation(s).

According to NC State representatives, the completion time for the study is estimated at four months, with the project to begin on January 7, 2019, and the final report to be submitted by May 6, 2019.  Dr. Bruce McDonald and Tom White from NC State came to Henderson October 8, 2018, to discuss McGregor Hall and its impact, to learn more about the facility and to spur still more progression in the team of people, volunteers and the community at large that is supporting the facility.

The recent local production of “Beauty and the Beast” has resulted in additional widespread publicity for McGregor Hall. (Photo: WIZS)

The recent local production of “Beauty and the Beast” has resulted in additional widespread publicity for McGregor Hall for a number of reasons.  The collective local and regional talent in the show and the sheer volume of people who attended the six public performances as well as additional school performances and side events exceeded 6,500 patrons.

Mark Hopper, Vice Chair of the Board for the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation and McGregor Hall, directed the play and directed the full orchestra as well.  In a recent conversation with WIZS’ John C. Rose, Hopper said, “We are a community and economic organization first and foremost, and it’s exciting that citizens are starting to share our vision for what we can accomplish.  Next spring, we have 11 weekends booked for regional and national dance competitions. That means that 700-900 people will arrive on Friday afternoon and stay through Sunday afternoon, with all of them eating in Vance County restaurants, lodging in Vance County motels, and putting Henderson on the map. It’s a very exciting time for McGregor Hall.”

Vance County Middle & High School Win First Place in State Video Contest

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County High School and Vance County Middle School each won first-place trophies in the N.C. School Boards Association State Conference video contests for schools across the state during the organization’s annual event held at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, November 12 – 14.

Vance County High School theater arts students, under the direction of their teacher Samantha Campbell, accepted their award during the evening of November 13. They went on stage in the Guilford Ballroom and patiently waited for the top video selection to be announced. Hoke County High School received the third-place trophy and A.L. Brown High School finished second.

N.C. School Boards Association officials present the first-place trophy and $3,000 check to Vance County High School students, starting third from left to the right, Jaida Lewis, Kahlil Kingsberry, Arianna Long and Isaac Bell McLean. (Photo Credit: VCS)

Accepting the award for the Vance County High Vipers were Jaida Lewis, Arianna Long, Kahlil Kingsberry and Isaac Bell McLean. Lewis made comments on behalf of her fellow students and her school. She thanked everyone who supported them and worked with students to produce the video. A special thanks went to Campbell and to Destiny Ross, a technology and curriculum specialist with the school system, who led the development of the award-winning video

At the end of her comments, Lewis noted, “We are all Vance County Proud!”

Vance County High School received a handsome trophy and a check for $3,000 as the first-place winner in the competition, which included impressive video entries from approximately 30 high schools across North Carolina.

The Vance County Middle School Jaguars were awarded first place in the middle school video competition during awards recognitions held on November 12. Darlynn Oxendine, chairperson of the Vance County Board of Education, accepted the trophy and a $100 gift certificate on behalf of the school and its students. There were over 50 entries in the middle school video competition, with the Jaguars’ entry selected as the best.

Both of the schools’ videos were about 60 seconds in length and followed the theme “What is Super about Public Schools.”

Darlynn Oxendine, chairperson of the Vance County Board of Education, center, accepts the first-place trophy on behalf of Vance County Middle School at the N.C. School Boards Association State Conference from NCSBA officials Minnie Forte-Brown, left, and Paige Sayles. (Photo Credit: VCS)

The Vance County High School video features the music of the popular song “This Is How We Do It” with new words and singing done by students at the school. Led by the theater arts students, the video shows a variety of locations and classes within the high school and includes a large number of students and some school staff. The video has lots of energy, bright colors and a good variety of classroom and outdoor scenes, with the words written by the students scrolling across the bottom of the screen

The Vance County Middle School video follows a “Star Wars” type of theme and has a futuristic look. With student narration, background music and lots of impressive special effects, the video explores the future look of public schools. It also features different students shown in areas throughout the middle school.

Edward Ortega, now the assistant principal at both L.B. Yancey and Pinkston Street elementary schools, led the efforts to produce the middle school video. He was assisted by teachers and administrators at the school, as well as having great cooperation and participation by students.

The Vance County Middle School and Vance County High School students and educators who produced the videos will be honored by the Vance County Board of Education at its meeting on Monday, November 19, beginning at 7 p.m. in the school system’s Administrative Services Center.

Baker Tapped as Publisher for High Point Newspaper

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-Information courtesy The Daily Dispatch and Paxton Media Group

Henderson native Nancy Baker will assume the role of publisher at The High Point Enterprise upon the retirement of publisher Rick Bean.

Baker joined Paxton Media Group and the newspaper industry in 1995 as business manager of The Daily Dispatch. In 2004, she became business manager of The High Point Enterprise, and in 2011 was named Regional Controller for the division that consists of 12 newspapers throughout North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. Baker will continue to serve in this role in addition to assuming the publisher duties.

“I’m honored and excited to become publisher of The Enterprise,” Baker said. “We have a great leadership team and staff. High Point is in a transformational period of its history and I’m looking forward to contributing to the community however I can. This newspaper has a long history of excellence that we have every intention of continuing.”

Henderson native Nancy Baker will assume the role of publisher at The High Point Enterprise upon the retirement of publisher Rick Bean. (Photo Credit: The Daily Dispatch)

Locally-Based Gifted Faithful Ministries Assisting Orphans in India

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-Information and photo courtesy Pastor Mike Holland, Gifted Faithful Ministries

Mike Holland, pastor of Gifted Faithful Ministries, is currently in India for a month to assist groups that house and care for orphans with sustainability projects.

“We have missions in Mexico City caring for and feeding homeless children there and are partners with several in India, one being a boy’s home,” said Holland. “I have spent a month helping with sustainability projects, as well as traveling and preaching throughout northern India.”

Gifted Faithful Ministries, based in Warren County, also assists people in crisis locally and throughout the country. “We help people in crisis locally, provide emergency housing when needed and are deeply involved with the Henderson Men’s Shelter. We also support several storm crisis events in NC and other states – such as Texas and Florida – and reach globally,” Holland said.

Speaking of global reach, Holland is glad that he can stay up-to-date on local news by tuning in to WIZS’ Town Talk program online from India. “It is pretty amazing that I can listen to Town Talk in a remote desert halfway around the world!”

For more information on the efforts of Gifted Faithful Ministries, please visit their website at www.giftedfaithful.org

Mike Holland, pastor of the Warren County-based Gifted Faithful Ministries, shown here with residents of a boy’s home in India (Photo Credit: Mike Holland)

News 11/14/18

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Henderson Fire Dept

Chief Cordell Reminds Public to Stay Vigilant With Winter Fire Safety

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With winter weather right around the corner and fall days that have seemed a bit chillier than normal, now is a great time to hire a professionals from Columbus Fire Watch Company to make sure your home is protected against fire dangers and carbon monoxide poisoning.

According to Henderson Fire Chief Steve Cordell, the number one way to prevent fires during the winter months is to use proper heating techniques. “If you use a space heater, for example, make sure it is UL approved and keep a minimum of 36 inches of clearance around the heater at all times.”

Carbon monoxide poisoning is also a concern, especially when warming the home with kerosene heaters. “Your home must be properly ventilated when heating with kerosene to avoid issues with carbon monoxide,” said Cordell.

Known as the “silent killer,” carbon monoxide is highly dangerous due to its odorless, colorless, tasteless and non-irritating nature. Carbon monoxide detectors are available at most home improvement stores and could literally mean the difference between life and death.

To help identify potential issues with heating methods and fire risks, the Henderson Fire Department conducts an annual smoke detector and battery inspection program each year.

Started in 2009 after a Vance County family lost several children to a house fire, Captain Lee Edmonds said the door-to-door home inspection program is “a good opportunity to check houses and smoke detectors to make sure everything is working properly.”

The inspection, which begins anew each November following Fire Prevention Month in October, is free of charge to Henderson residents. “We put new batteries in smoke detectors, replace old smoke detectors and install smoke detectors in places that did not previously have them,” said Edmonds.

The department recommends that every home have at least one working smoke detector per floor. “You want at least one on each floor,” said Cordell. “Ideally, you should have one on each hallway and above each bedroom door.”

For more information on the free smoke detector program or to have your home inspected, please call Captain Edmonds at (252) 430-1877.