City and County Leaders Vote to Demolish Abagayles Books Property
In the respective Vance County Commissioners and Henderson City Council meetings Monday night, the boards each voted to demolish the former Abagayles Books property on Garnett Street and that the effort would be jointly funded 50/50.
Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington indicated the council “moved ahead with that to joint fund with the county 50/50.”
Vance Commissioners Chairman Tommy Hester said, “Yes, we did approve.”
Monday night’s Vance Commissioners agenda packet, of which the entire agenda is available online by clicking here, indicated the properties committee met and reviewed quotes received to demolish the building at 405 South Garnett Street. The committee recommended its demolition.
The agenda packet information reads as follows on page 16 of the document:
“The committee met and discussed recent quotes received by the City of Henderson for demolition of the jointly owned Abagayles Books Building on Garnett Street. Previously the city and county considered adding a roof to the structure at a cost of $24,000 although a recent structural evaluation by an engineer determined significant repairs would be necessary inside of the building. The City land planning committee has recommended and the city council will be considering demolition of the building at their January 8th meeting. Recent quotes obtained for the demolition have a low bid of $18,000 plus an additional $500 to increase the liability insurance to 2 million. The county would cover 50% of the demolition cost from existing budgeted funds, or not to exceed $9,250 subject to approval from the City of Henderson. The committee discussed the potential presence of asbestos and recommended including an additional $5,000 as a contingency to cover 50% of any asbestos cost. An asbestos report completed since the committee meeting indicates no presence of asbestos, although a contingency is still advised. All county costs associated with the demolition would come from existing budgeted funds for joint property demolition and maintenance. The committee recommended proceeding with the demolition but requested that the adjoining building owner be notified of any responsibility for the shared wall following demolition. Also, the owner of the adjoining vacant lot has given permission for use of the lot for access during demolition. Recommendation: Approve demolition of the Abagayles Books building and authorize use of existing budgeted funds for 50% of the demolition cost or not to exceed $9,250 plus $5,000 as a contingency for asbestos abatement subject to approval from the City of Henderson.”
Henderson City Council Meeting 1-8-18
Update: 9 p.m.
Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington told WIZS News that the resolutions covered below “both passed unanimously.” Furthermore, he said, “The Department of Transportation came up with another $100,000 on the project.” He said he received the call today.
These two resolutions considered at Monday night’s meeting protect the historical aspects of the old First National Bank Building downtown and clear the way for a Beckford Drive widening project.
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In the agenda packet for the Henderson City Council meeting for 1-8-18, among other items, is consideration of a resolution for a First National Bank Building preservation easement downtown and the consideration of a resolution to amend the budget for a Beckford Drive widening project.
Several potential buyers had expressed an interest in purchasing the old First National Bank Building, but the offers were low.
City Manager Frank Frazier said, “Our land planning committee met and asked the staff to draw up some covenants to protect the integrity of that building. We wanted to make sure whatever was done, particularly with the outside of the building, to make sure that’s kept in tact and so forth.”
The City would love to see it restored and in private hands but also wants some guidelines to protect the historical nature of the building.
A City Council Action Form, which is also part of the agenda packet, said, “The City-owned First National Bank building is one of the most important structures in the City’s historical downtown district, which was established in 1987. Staff recommends that the building’s unique character be protected through restrictions placed in any deed used to transfer ownership.”
As to the matter of widening Beckford Drive, the portion up for consideration is from the front of the City Operations Center down to the next intersection near the Universal Commerce Center and the Social Security Administration office.
Frazier said, “It’s to widen from two lanes to three lanes to get a turn lane in there plus a sidewalk if funds are available. We got the money years ago through Congress really with a re-authorization bill. We’ve been working for years getting rights of way…We’re getting close to being able to go out to bid on the project.”
Henderson Man Arrested 1-5-18 on Drug Charges
Henderson Police Department Press Release:
On January 5th, 2018 members of the Henderson Police Department Special Response Team and Vice-Narcotics Section conducted a search warrant at 424 Thomas Street, Henderson after receiving complaints of drug sales. During the execution of the search warrant fifteen (15) grams of cocaine was located and seized. James Glover Jr, 46, of 424 Thomas Street, Henderson was arrested and charged with Felony PWIMSD Schedule II, and Felony Maintaining a Dwelling. He received a $10,000 secured bond pending a court hearing on January 16, 2018 in Vance County.
Authority: Chief Barrow
Body of Michael Bowes Found Near the Old Washout
The following press release from the Office of Vance County Sheriff Peter White:
On Sunday, January 7, 2018, the body of Mr. Michael Bowes, age 46 of 650 Gun Club Road, Lot 6, Henderson, NC, was located.
He was found deceased inside of his vehicle at approximately 1 p.m. on a private farm path on Washout Road in the eastern corner of Vance County by a resident that lived nearby.
Mr. Bowes was reported missing on December 21, 2017.
Two individuals have been charged with First Degree Murder in connection with Bowes’ death.
John Jefferson, age 23 of 1507 Parham Street, Henderson, NC, was charged on January 7, 2018 along with Tynetta Mayfield, age 17, of Henderson, NC.
They are both currently in the Vance County Jail without bond.
Their court date is February 26, 2018. Other charges may be pending in this case.
ASPCA Grant Will Help Vance Animals
— courtesy of Vance County
Vance County Animal Services is pleased to announce that it is a recipient of a $7,865.00 anti-cruelty grant from the ASPCA.
The grant was applied for on September 30, 2017 and will be used for:
- Purchase more cases for cruelty case animals
- Purchase feeders for our pastures for our livestock cases
- Purchase hay ring for our pasture for our livestock cases
- Purchase water tanks for our pasture for our livestock cases
- Purchase lead lines/halters for our equine cases
- Purchase enrichment toys and supplies for our livestock
- Purchase a video camera for video footage of cruelty cases
- Purchase a camera and accessories for taking better pictures at our cruelty investigation
- To send two Animal Services Officers to Leti Cruelty Investigation School
These items would greatly improve our animal cruelty investigations by having the ability to take better, more detailed pictures and videos for a greater chance of an animal cruelty conviction. It would also help us provide appropriate care and housing for the animals in our custody. The enrichment toys will help us provide valuable socialization for livestock, which will increase their chances of getting adopted. These items are essential for us to provide the proper care.
Frankie Nobles
Chief of Vance County Animal Services
Vance County Animal Shelter
1243 Brodie Rd.
Henderson, NC 27537
Phone: 252-492-3136
https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/animal-control/
Check out our Animals on PetFinder: https://awos.petfinder.com/shelters/nc59.html
Like Us Up On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfVanceCountyAnimalShelter
Maria Parham Health Hosts Emergency Preparedness Drill
— courtesy Maria Parham Health
Henderson, January 5, 2018—Maria Parham Health, in coordination with Vance County Emergency Operations, conducted an Emergency Preparedness Drill at the hospital on December 8, 2017. The Emergency Preparedness Drill was a joint training exercise that was designed to test the preparedness and response of local, regional and state agencies should a real crisis occur. This project was a vision that was started in a conversation with Maria Parham Health, Chief Executive Officer, Bert Beard, County Commissioners, Archie Taylor, Jr. and Tommy Hester, Jr. and City of Henderson Councilman, Mike Inscoe. “Several months prior to planning this drill, a conversation was had discussing concerns with the safety in our nation pertaining to mass casualty shootings,” stated Bert Beard, CEO, Maria Parham. “Mr. Taylor, Mr. Hester and Mr. Inscoe were instrumental in connecting the key leaders we needed to pull a drill of this scale off and we are very appreciative of their dedication and leadership. Every entity involved, both locally and regionally, stepped up and engaged to make this a value-added exercise for the community,” stated Beard.
More than 100 volunteers, hospital employees and local emergency responders participated in the mock emergency preparedness drill. The event staged by Maria Parham Health Emergency Preparedness Team, inclusive of key leaders from Vance County Emergency Operations and first responder entities, focused on response plans for an actual disaster, which could trigger a sudden influx of patients, media, concerned community members and the “worried well” to the hospital. The full scale mass-casualty drill was conducted in collaboration with multiple partner agencies including the Henderson Police Department, Vance County Sherriff’s Office, Henderson-Vance County Emergency Operations, Vance County Emergency Medical Services, City of Henderson Fire Department, Duke Healthcare Coalition and Maria Parham Health. “It takes the entire community of emergency responders to pull a drill of this scale off, stated Jason Reavis, Assistant Director of Emergency Operations for Vance County. “We had a very dedicated team and everyone was focused on completing a safe and successful drill while making our community more prepared for an event of large scale,” stated Reavis.
Maria Parham Health is the first hospital in the region to host an emergency preparedness drill of this scale. The scenario for the practice event was a simulated active shooter on hospital grounds. More detail to planning the event was required due to the nature of the event, the multiple entities involved, the necessary steps to respond to an event of this type and having the event taking place during some of the hospital’s busiest hours. “Safety is always our top concern when we are participating in any drill,” stated Steven Vaugh, Captain of the Henderson Police Department. “We did not want to disrupt any normal operations of the hospital, but we needed to respond as if it were a real situation. Everyone collaborated to make sure safety was the top focus and through the joint efforts of everyone involved we completed the drill with no injuries or harms,” stated Vaughn.
Hospitals are required by The Joint Commission to have disaster response plans in place and conduct periodic drills for improvement and training purposes. However, this drill was designed to test the process and responsiveness of all of Vance County’s emergency responders and examine how each entity would work with the hospital staff through their protocols. “Everyone who participated in this drill are vital organizations for emergency response in our community, including Maria Parham,” stated Steve Cordell, Henderson Fire Department Fire Chief. “The planning process and the actual drill were very insightful for our team to understand how the hospital will respond to internal emergency situations and how we can better work with and communicate if something takes place on their campus,” stated Cordell.
One of the main focus points for the hospital to review was patient care inside the hospital if a disaster were to happen and how hospital staff would work with emergency responders to treat and transport patients internally. “We work in partnership every day with the hospital to provide care for the people in our community, however, this drill offered the opportunity for us to test our response procedures inside the hospital,” stated Javier Plummer, EMS Director for Vance County. “Our team is used to responding and then communicating with the hospital when an emergency happens. This situation took us out of our standard procedures and gave us a different angle in working with the hospital. I feel both teams performed well and walked away with great opportunities to build on,” stated Plummer.
A scenario such as an active shooter in any location involves everyone in every emergency response organizations pulling together to diffuse the situation and provide care to the community during and after the situation is over. This drill provided every key emergency response organization in the community valuable insight and opportunities to work better together and provide better response to the communities they serve.
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(Maria Parham Health is an advertising client of WIZS. However, this is not a paid advertisement. This is a news release issued by Maria Parham Health.)
Rape Arrest and Charges Jan 4, 2018
Henderson Police Department Press Release – January 5, 2018
On January 4th, 2018 members of the Henderson Police Department Criminal Investigation Section arrested Wilton Leroy Greene, 48, of 1021 Thurston Street, Henderson and charged him with 1st Degree Forcible Rape and 1st Degree Rape of a Juvenile less than 13 years-old. The incident was to have allegedly occurred two years ago involving a juvenile victim. Mr. Greene received a $600,000.00 secured bond and was placed in the Vance County Jail pending a court hearing. The SaM Child Advocacy Center and the Greenville (NC) Police Department assisted with the investigation.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow
