Theft From Construction Site of Henderson Collegiate School

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-Press Release, Henderson Police Department

On July 8, 2018, it was reported to members of the Henderson Police Department that a large equipment battery and 300 feet of cypress lumber were stolen from the construction site of Henderson Collegiate School, 1071 Old Epsom Road, Henderson. The Henderson Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect(s) involved in this case.

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

Simmons to Hold ‘Coffee With A Candidate’ Meet and Greet

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-Information courtesy Tiarra L. Mosley, Campaign Manager, the Committee for Allen Simmons for Vance County Sheriff

Coffee With A Candidate: Allen Simmons

The community is invited to meet Allen Simmons, candidate for Vance County Sheriff, on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, from 8 – 10 a.m. at Hardee’s, 120 E Dabney Dr., Henderson.

This Coffee with a Candidate session will allow Vance County citizens to come and have a one-on-one conversation with Simmons.

Simmons, a veteran of the Henderson Police Department, is running as an unaffiliated candidate for Sheriff of Vance County against Curtis Brame (Dem) and Charles Pulley (Rep).

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Families Living Violence Free

Families Living Violence Free to Hold Quarter Auction at Vino Oasi

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– Information courtesy Peggy Roark, Sexual Assault Advocate & PREA Coordinator, Families Living Violence Free

Families Living Violence Free will hold a quarter auction on Friday, August 3, 2018, at Vino Oasi, 3200 Bliss Trail, Stem.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m.- Dinner will be served at 6:15 p.m. – Auction begins at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $10 (dinner and bidding paddle)

All proceeds go to direct services for domestic violence and sexual assault victims and survivors.

Don’t forget to bring rolls of quarters for bidding and extra cash to purchase products from available vendors.

Call Families Living Violence Free at (919) 693-3579 for more information or to get tickets. Tickets are also available online at www.flvf.org

(This is not a paid advertisement)

 

U.S. Department of Justice

U.S. Forfeits $700K+ in Proceeds Seized from Convenience Store Operators

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced the forfeiture of $765,850.27 seized from Southern Pines residents Mukesh and Daxaban Patel and their company, Shree Zapesvari, Inc., doing business as Jay’s Food Mart 1 and 2. Under the terms of a Settlement Agreement filed on July 13, 2018, in the United States District Court in the Middle District of North Carolina, $100,000 of the total of $865,850.27 seized from the Patels will be returned to them, with the remainder forfeited.

In a Complaint filed on December 23, 2016, the United States alleged that the cash seized from the Patels’ convenience stores was the proceeds of illegal gambling in violation of state and federal law. As alleged in the Complaint, an undercover investigation revealed that the Patels operated several illegal electronic gaming machines and games of chance at both Jay’s Food Mart 1 and 2, machines owned by a third-party, with whom they split the proceeds. The machines, which contain a display similar to slot machines, contained gaming software provided by a gaming software provider. Patrons who won received payoffs on site.

“A segment of the gaming industry continues to foist illegal games of chance on the people of North Carolina,” says United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr., “particularly on those least able to afford this addictive and destructive habit – this in spite of clear directives from both the North Carolina General Assembly and Supreme Court of North Carolina barring such games. This case represents one way in which we will seek to limit the reach of this lucrative yet pernicious industry.”

Homeland Security Investigations Resident Agent in Charge Timothy P. Stone says that “as these segments of the gaming industry continue to pedal games of chance onto the public of North Carolina, an environment ripe for illegal behavior is created, one that preys on the livelihood of many while costing others their lives.” Stone says that “the success of the investigation would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, Moore County Sheriff’s Office, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Division, and the Office of the United States Attorney, all critical in helping bring the individuals and businesses of this industry to justice.”

Assistant United States Attorney Steve West represented the government in this matter.

News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s webpage at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_EDNC.

News 07/16/18

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Still Plenty of Time for Summer Reading at Perry Memorial Library

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Patti McAnally, director of the Perry Memorial Library in Henderson, was recently on WIZS’ Town Talk to discuss current and upcoming library programs, including summer reading.

“Although we are currently in the middle of summer reading, there are still a lot of opportunities to get involved,” said McAnally.

Parents interested in getting their children involved in the program may pick up a reading packet in the Youth Services Department. Children will have the opportunity to reach weekly reading goals and complete their reading log to be eligible for drawings and prizes.

Parents of participating youth will also be eligible for entry into an adult drawing for prizes if their child completes their summer reading log. “We figured that kids probably haven’t done it by themselves,” McAnally said. “Their parents have helped read to them and encourage them.”

In addition to being fun and keeping kids occupied during the school break, the summer reading program is also beneficial to academic retainment. “Summer reading is especially important because ‘summer slide’ can happen. There have been several studies done on this and it refers to students losing some of the academic gains they make during the school year over the summer,” McAnally said.

While staying engaged in school-required reading material may be difficult for some, McAnally believes summer reading can help children discover a genre of books that truly interests them. “What I like about the library’s summer reading program is we don’t have a required list of books; kids can read what they want. I think this helps them develop a love of reading for fun.”

The summer reading program will conclude with a finale in the Children’s Storytime Kiva on Friday, August 3 at 4 p.m. BoHo the Clown will provide character antics and family fun for this event.

Youth summer library programs include:

Totally Tweens – Ages 8 – 12 – Mondays at 5 p.m.

Story Explorers – Ages 5 – 11 – Tuesdays at 5 p.m.

Books & Babies – Ages Birth – 2 – Thursdays at 10:45 a.m.

Mother Goose Storytime – Ages 2 – 5 – Thursdays at 11 a.m.

LEGO Fun Club – Ages 5 – 13 – Thursdays at 4 p.m.

The Perry Memorial Library is located at 205 Breckenridge Street in Henderson. Visit their website at www.perrylibrary.org for additional information on children and adult programs.

Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments

Public Open House for P5 Regional Transportation Projects

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-Press Release, Kerr-Tar Regional Transportation Planning Organization

The public is invited to an open house on Thursday, July 19, 2018, to express their opinions on the regional transportation projects in Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance, and Warren Counties being considered for inclusion in the NCDOT 2020-2029 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The STIP is a 10-year plan that identifies funding for projects throughout North Carolina and schedules them for construction.

The Kerr-Tar Regional Transportation Planning Organization (KTRPO) will hold an informal open house on Thursday at the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments’ office, 1724 Graham Avenue, Henderson, NC, from 5 to 7 p.m. Residents will be able to view all potential projects and provide feedback. KTRPO staff will be present to answer any questions and address any concerns.

For those unable to attend the open house, the projects are available for review on the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments’ website: https://www.kerrtarcog.org/. Comments may be submitted via email to info@kerrtarcog.org. Please include P5 Regional Projects Comments in the subject line.

Henderson Rec. Players to Present “Clybourne Park”

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-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor

The Henderson Rec Players will present “Clybourne Park” by Bruce Norris at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center nightly August 9-11 at 8 p.m. and August 12 at 2 p.m.

Winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award for Best Play, “Clybourne Park” is a satire about the politics of race that will be directed by Stephanie Asabi Howard. In response to Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun,” playwright Bruce Norris set up his work as a pair of scenes that bookend Hansberry’s piece and are set in the same modest bungalow on Chicago’s northwest side.

In 1959, Russ and Bev move out to the suburbs after the tragic death of their son. Inadvertently, they sell their house to the neighborhood’s first black family. Fifty years later in 2009, the roles are reversed when a young white couple buys the lot in what is now a predominantly black neighborhood, signaling a new wave of gentrification. In both instances, a community showdown takes place, pitting race against real estate with this home as the battleground.

Tickets are available for $15 at the McGregor Hall Box Office, 201 Breckenridge St. in Henderson, by calling (252) 598-0662 or visiting www.mcgregorhall.org.

For more information, please contact Crystal Allen at (252) 431-6091 or email callen@ci.henderson.nc.us

(This is not a paid advertisement)

 

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Celebrate National Watermelon Month at the Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market!

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

Seed-Spitting Contest, Anyone?

You guessed it – watermelons are now in season and available at your VCRFM. Seems no other produce screams summer like watermelon. We love the refreshing taste, but thing is, there is more to watermelon than just its flavor. It boasts some powerful health benefits, too. At 46 calories per cup, watermelon offers 20% of your daily intake of Vitamin C and 17% of Vitamin A. That’s not all, watermelon contains dietary fiber for digestive health as well as potassium, a mineral that helps keep blood pressure capped.

Watermelon has 1.5 times more lycopene (6 milligrams/cup) than tomatoes. Lycopene is thought to act as a super antioxidant – stopping free radicals from damaging your cells, messing with your immune system, and may help fight heart disease and some cancers.

Watermelon also contains citrulline, a natural substance that’s been tied to improved artery function and lower blood pressure.

But is it a fruit or a vegetable? Actually, it is both! It is a close cousin of cucumbers, pumpkins & squash.

Probably best of all during our scorching hot summer months, watermelon is packed with, well, water! In fact, it is 92% water which is some serious hydration power. That’s a big deal since being dehydrated is bad for our health.

Now about that seed-spitting contest… You may want to rethink that. Roasted watermelon seeds are much more nutritious than many other snacks. An ounce of watermelon seeds (approximately 400 seeds) has 158 calories. They also contain magnesium, iron, folate (folic acid or vitamin B-9) and monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (which are useful in lowering LDL cholesterol levels).

So, celebrate National Watermelon Month (July, of course) by treating yourself to a fresh, local, delicious and nutritious watermelon from your VCRFM. You will find a variety to choose from!

(The above information was excerpted from USDA article 3730)

What You Will Find at the Market This Week

Beets, blueberries, butter beans, cabbage, cantaloupes, corn, cucumbers, eggs, eggplant, garlic, green beans, onions, peaches, peppers, pink eye purple hull peas, pork, potatoes, squash, tomatoes (green, red & heirloom), watermelon and zucchini.

We also have plenty of canned vegetables, honey, molasses, salsa, chow-chow, bbq sauces, jellies, jams, wine, soaps, bath salts, scented candles, cut sunflowers and unique handmade crafts.

Anticipated Vendors – Saturday, July 14:

Adcock Farm

Backroad Farm & Vineyard

Burgess Farms

Cakes Delish

Culver Farms Honey

Donation Station

Faulkner Family Farms

Honeyberry Hills Farm

Imperial Stitching

JASM Farms

Jerri’s Things

Kelly Lynn Photography

LouMag Ent.

Master Gardeners

O’Reilly’s Curry Q & Sauce

Pretty Tough Stuff

Short’s Family Farms

Woodwick Designs

* VCRFM open Wednesdays & Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

VCRFM Welcomes SNAP/EBT

Contacts:

Market Manager: Tracy Madigan @ 252-598-0814

Extension Agent: Paul McKenzie @ 252-438-8188

The Farmers Market building is available for rent. Contact Tracy Madigan for pricing and available dates.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

U.S. Department of Justice

NC Dept. of Public Safety to Pay $190K in Civil Penalties for Violations

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announces that the United States and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety have signed a civil settlement agreement resolving the State’s liability for civil penalties stemming from recordkeeping violations relating to the dispensing of controlled substances to inmates at the Central Prison Healthcare Complex and the North Carolina Correctional Center for Women. The State agreed to pay $190,000 rather than contest a potential fine that could have been as high as $880,000.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Diversion Unit conducted an audit of the Central Prison Healthcare Complex (CPHC) and the North Carolina Correctional Center for Women (NCCCW). Investigators found that on at least 88 occasions during the period of September 2, 2014, through October 4, 2016, medical staff at CPHC and NCCCW failed to properly document the dispensing and disposal of controlled substances at CPHC and NCCCW. While no unlawful use of controlled substances was detected, the substandard recordkeeping provided fertile ground for improper diversion.

In addition to payment of the civil penalty, because of the investigation, State officials initiated their own investigation and took remedial measures. Included among such measures were changes in existing policies and procedures, implementation of better and more effective employee education and training, and the development of better monitoring, reporting, and compliance processes.

“The handling of prescription controlled substances inside our prisons poses some unique challenges,” says U.S. Attorney Higdon, “and yet given the possibility of illegal diversion to inmates and others, scrupulous recordkeeping and tracking of controlled substances is essential. Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States, eclipsing deaths from motor vehicle crashes or firearms. This matter underscores the continued need for robust regulatory and enforcement measures against all medical providers to stop diversion of controlled prescription drugs and end the lax recordkeeping environments which may be fertile ground for diversion.”

Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Atlanta Field Division stated, “DEA and its law enforcement partners will continue to expend time, energy and resources in an effort to stem the tide against the growing opioid epidemic. The spirited level of cooperation by the N.C. Board of Pharmacy and the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, and the prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office made this investigation a success.”

Assistant United States Attorney Steve West represented the government in this matter.

News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s webpage at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_EDNC.