Illegal Sale of Fake Goods in Henderson – Press Release

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Press Release: January 6, 2017

On January 5, 2017 around 5:36 PM, members of the Henderson Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division executed a search warrant at 117 S. Garnett Street, Henderson, in reference to a complaint received regarding the illegal sale of counterfeit goods.

During the execution of the search warrant various items were seized including: seventeen (19) jackets, four (4) sweaters, two (2) hats, (10) wallets, five (5) watches, fifteen (15) purses, fourteen (14) pairs of boots, ten (10) headphones, and U.S. Currency. The items seized are believed to be counterfeit goods with the markings of Beats by Dre™, The North Face®, MICHAEL KORS®, and UGG®.

Charges in this case are pending further investigation.

The investigation is being conducted by members of the Henderson Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division. If anyone has any information related to this case or similar cases, they are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141. Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $2,000 for information that may lead to an arrest. Callers may remain anonymous.

As consumers we must be mindful of the harm that may be associated with purchasing counterfeit items. The sale of counterfeit goods harms legitimate businesses in the community and the economy as a whole.

Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow

Krzyzewski Undergoes Successful Lower Back Surgery

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DURHAM, N.C. – Duke University head men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski underwent successful lower back surgery on Friday, Jan. 6, to remove a fragment of a herniated disc.

The procedure was performed by Dr. Allan Friedman at Duke University Hospital. The anticipated recovery time for Krzyzewski is up to four weeks.

“Surgery went exactly as planned,” said Friedman. “Coach is in terrific physical shape and we expect a full recovery.”

Krzyzewski has won a Division I men’s basketball record 1,056 games in 41-plus seasons as a college head coach, owning a 1,056-323 overall record and a 983-264 mark in 36-plus seasons at Duke. He has led Duke to five NCAA championships (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015), the second-most national titles by a coach in NCAA history.

Krzyzewski guided the United States National Team to an 88-1 record and seven total medals (six gold) as head coach from 2005-16. He is a seven-time USA Basketball National Coach of the Year and the only coach – men’s or women’s – to lead a country to three consecutive Olympic basketball gold medals.

Krzyzewski was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001.

#GoDuke

Cory Walton

Senior Associate Sports Information Director

Duke Athletics

Henderson Vance Recreation and Parks Department Closings

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Friday, January 6, 2017

The Aycock Recreation Center at 6:00 p.m.
Pool Closes at 12:30 p.m.
The center will be closing due to impending Inclement weather. We value the safety our patrons and our staff.
Thank you for your understanding.

*This news was received via phone to WIZS News

All VGCC Campuses to close at 3:00 p.m. Today

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All campuses of Vance-Granville Community College will close today, Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, at 3 p.m. Evening and weekend activities are cancelled.

All campuses of VGCC will be closed on Saturday, Jan. 7, and Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017.

Thank you.

Andrew Beal, Public Information Officer

beala@vgcc.edu

(252) 738-3322

Clarence Adrian Royster Pleads No Contest After Trial Begins

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Henderson, NC – Clarence Adrian Royster was charged with two counts of Statutory Rape or Sex Offense where the Defendant is greater than or equal to 6 years older than the victim, Indecent Liberties with a Child, Incest with a Child 13, 14 or 15 years of age when the Defendant is greater than or equal to 6 years older than the victim, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile, and Giving Fortified Wine, Liquor or Mixed Beverage to someone under the age of 21 as a result of a 2013 incident.

On Tuesday, January 3, 2017, a Vance County jury was empaneled and the State began presenting evidence in the cases against Mr. Royster. On Wednesday, January 4, 2017, after testimony from several witnesses, Mr. Royster withdrew his not guilty plea and entered a plea of no contest. Mr. Royster was sentenced to an active term of 240 to 348 months in the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Division of Adult Correction (DAC) by resident Superior Court Judge Henry W. Hight, Jr. After Mr. Royster is released from the DAC, he must register as a sex offender and will be subject to satellite based monitoring.

The District Attorney’s Office was represented by assistant district attorneys, Melissa D. Pelfrey and Onica F. Fuller.

This case was investigated by officers with the Henderson Police Department and Detective Alan Simmons under the direction of Chief Marcus Barrow.

*This press release was sent via email from the DA’s office to multiple agents of WIZS News.

Town Talk 01/06/17

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Duke Energy Cautions Customers to be Alert of Persistent Scam

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Don’t allow yourself to fall prey to a scam.  And don’t be more vulnerable now just because of snow.  Read the information below, which will help you avoid being taking advantage of.  This information is confirmed by Duke Energy District Manager Tanya Evans.

Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce Statement:

The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce has been notified by some of our members of a scam involving persons falsely identifying themselves as Duke Energy representatives. A caller, claiming to be a Duke Energy service technician, tells the customer that a work order has been issued to immediately disconnect service. The caller states that a disruption of service can be avoided if an immediate payment is made. The scammer provides a telephone number for the customer to call to make the payment. The customer’s call is answered as Duke Energy by a very legitimately-sounding but fake IVR system. Duke Energy emphasizes that their customers are never contacted and asked to make a payment by telephone and provides the notice below to their customers. Please share this information with your friends, families, and business associates.

Duke Energy Statement:

Duke Energy customers in five states are continually being targeted by scam artists claiming to represent the company. Phone, doorstep and email scammers claiming to be a utility company are nothing new – it happens to all utility companies throughout the U.S. and Canada. However, complaints about this particular scam have really increased over the last several months.

Scammers are calling residents and impersonating utility company staff, claiming to be collecting on late bills. They may falsify their caller ID information to make it appear as though the call is coming from Duke Energy or provide a number to call which, when answered, appears to be a Duke Energy contact.

Because we do occasionally contact our customers by phone, it can be difficult to tell a scammer from a real Duke Energy employee. Here are some tips:

 

  • If a caller specifically asks you to pay by prepaid debit card, this is a red flag. Prepaid debit cards are like cash and the transactions cannot be reversed.
  • Remember, you do not have to sign anything or give personal information to anyone calling you on the phone, sending you an email or showing up at your door.
  • If you feel pressured for immediate payment or personal information, hang up the phone and call us at the number on your utility bill. This will ensure you are speaking to a real Duke Energy representative.

 

The only way to protect yourself is to be vigilant, stay informed and guard your personal information.  If you feel something’s not quite right about the situation, contact the police immediately and report the call if you feel it was an impostor.

For more information about avoiding utility scams, visit our web site at https://www.duke-energy.com/customer-service/report-fraud-and-scams

*The preceding content was sent to WIZS News via email from the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.

Vance County Schools cancels all after school activities

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All after school activities scheduled for today in Vance County Schools have been cancelled due to the forecast for inclement weather.

Thank you,

Terri Hedrick

Public Information Officer

News 01/06/17

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Precip to start Sooner; Snowfall Estimates Higher

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Precip to start Sooner; Snowfall Estimates Higher

Brian Short is the Director of Emergency Operations for Vance County and Henderson.  He has attached here – click here – the latest weather synopsis from the NWS for the winter storm that is headed our way.

Short has been communicating regularly with emergency preparedness teams, local officials and local media over the last few days, and in his most recent email update, Short said, “Presently we are under a Winter Storm Warning. The timing of the event remains roughly the same, but as you can see our snowfall estimates have increased noticeably overnight.

“At this time we have no plans to open any shelters as we do not expect widespread power outages. Once the snow begins we are encouraging residents to stay off the roads. Snow accumulations are forecast to be heavy. Unnecessary travel during wintry conditions not only puts the driver at risk it also hampers road clearing efforts.

“We will be continuing to coordinate with local and State response agencies throughout the storm and will continue to forward along additional information as it is received.”

Additionally, if you are a member of a local emergency preparedness team or a local public official in need of anything further, you are reminded to contact Short directly.