Eaton-Johnson Students Attend First Ever Camp Discovery

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This year, rising sixth, seventh and eighth graders had the opportunity to experience the first ever Camp Discovery at Eaton-Johnson Middle School.

Partnering with the Henderson chapter of Triangle Literacy Council, Eaton-Johnson was able to offer a new and exciting summer bridge camp opportunity for students. Over the course of three weeks, campers participated in reading and literacy activities, created hands-on math, science and technology projects, and took a Character Education Course designed specifically for middle school students. Campers also participated in several sports and recreation mini-blocks throughout the camp session, including a trip to the movie theater to see animation in action.

The inaugural Camp Discovery season concluded with a very special awards ceremony on July 13. At the ceremony, parents and other family members shared in recognizing the incredible accomplishments of EJMS campers. Each camper received a Certificate of Program Completion and many campers also won individual awards. As part of Eaton-Johnson’s ongoing collaboration with Triangle Literacy Council, every camper was given a new personal computer. The summer program represents the third segment of a year-long collaboration between Eaton-Johnson Middle School, Henderson Middle School and Triangle Literacy Council. To date, the program has served over 200 middle school students in Vance County and awarded more than $50,000 worth of new computers to students. Most of the students received their new computers in June, following their completion of academic work in the second semester of last school year.

Vance County Schools Show 07/17/17

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Local Missing Person Found Submerged in Vehicle at Satterwhite Point

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David Alfonzo Young, 71, who was reported missing back in May, was found submerged inside his 1990 Dodge Dakota at the Satterwhite Point Marina boat ramp over the weekend.  Sheriff Peter White told WIZS News, “It looked as though he drove straight down the boat ramp.”

No foul play is suspected in this case as the truck was in drive when it entered the water. “Why he drove into the water we don’t know,” stated White.

Several boats have launched from the ramp since May, but one boater thought he hit something with his propeller and called local authorities.

An autopsy is being conducted in this case.

News 07/17/17

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Parents endow VGCC scholarship in memory of daughter

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Joann Thomas and Nathan Fleming, both of Williamsboro, recently established a new Vance-Granville Community College scholarship, which they named in memory of the daughter they lost at the age of three.

The new academic achievement scholarship honors the memory of Joy Nicole Fleming, who passed away in 1975 due to complications from a brain tumor. Thomas recalled that her daughter, befitting her first name, was “smart and talkative and never found anybody she didn’t like.” She also noted that Joy loved attending church at Island Creek Baptist Church. 

Thomas is a retired nurse. She attended nursing school at Grace Hospital in Morganton, N.C., on a full scholarship herself, so she appreciates the value of helping students and told VGCC officials that she wanted to give back to today’s students. Thomas, who also holds a bachelor’s degree from Meredith College, had a long career in nursing, including stints at Granville Medical Center and in public health and hospice care in Granville, Vance and Warren counties. She added that she has always been “inspired by nurses.”

In awarding the new scholarship, preference will be given to female students who are enrolled in VGCC Health Sciences programs, such as Nursing, Radiography, Medical Assisting and Pharmacy Technology.

Fleming worked as a bookkeeper in the tobacco industry and later became a truck driver. The couple have another daughter, Amy.

“We are grateful to Nathan and Joann for honoring VGCC with such a generous gift in memory of their precious daughter, Joy,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC. “For generations to come, her name will be associated with supporting our students as they prepare for rewarding careers serving our communities in the health care field.”

Through the Endowment Fund, VGCC has awarded more than 8,800 scholarships to students since 1982. Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education. For more information about the Endowment Fund, call (252) 738-3409.

–VGCC–

Henderson Police Department to host Night Out Against Crime

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In cooperation with the “34th Annual National Night Out” the Henderson/Vance Night Out Against Crime Committee and the Henderson Police Department will be hosting the Henderson/Vance Night Out Against Crime on Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson on August 1, 2017. The event is scheduled from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with set-up beginning at 3:00 PM.

The introduction of National Night Out, “America’s Night Out Against Crime”, in 1984 began an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. NATW’s National Night Out program culminates annually, on the first Tuesday of August (In Texas, the first Tuesday of October).

National Night Out now involves over 38.5 million people and 16,500 communities from all fifty states, U.S. Territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide.

The traditional “lights on” campaign and symbolic front porch vigils turned into a celebration across America with various events and activities including, but not limited to, block parties, cookouts, parades, visits from emergency personnel, rallies and marches, exhibits, youth events, safety demonstrations and seminars, in effort to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts, and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. Events for this year’s Night Out include displays of law enforcement and public safety vehicles and equipment, informational booths for public safety and public health agencies and organizations, and children’s activities.

The Event Coordinator for the Henderson/Vance Night Out Against Crime 2017 is Community Services Sergeant Jessica B. West of the Henderson Police Department. Agencies and organizations involved in public safety and related fields that may be interested in participating in the event may contact Sergeant West at (252) 431-6061 or via email jwest@hendersonncpd.org .

Authority: Marcus W. Barrow, Chief of Police

Downtown Henderson Moonlight Gala 2017 Update

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In 2016 the Henderson Vance Downtown Development Commission held its first Moonlight Gala on Young Street in Downtown Henderson, NC.  After great success, we are hosting another Moonlight Gala in 2017 on September 9th, 2017.

We expect this event to sell out, as there are a limited number of tickets, only 138.  Those that purchased tickets for the event in 2016 got first chance to purchase tickets for the 2017 event on July 10th, 2017.

Today, July 14th, 2017  we’re opening up ticket sales to the public.

Note that as of July 14th there are only 16 tickets remaining available.

You may pay online, or by sending a check.  If you select to send a check, we must receive your payment by August 9th, 2017 or your order will be canceled and tickets will be forfeited.

Tickets may be purchased at

https://hendersonncdowntown.com/product/moonlight-gala-2017-ticket/

E.M. Rollins to host “Back to School Bash”

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Vance County Schools

For Immediate Release

July 13, 2017

Families are invited to attend the E.M. Rollins Elementary School “Back to School Bash” on Saturday, July 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the grounds of the school.

The “Bash” will include music, dancers, a bounce house, face painting, free food and drinks and school supply giveaways. The event is free for registered E.M. Rollins families and $3 per person for other guests.

Several vendors will be on hand to provide fun activities for all family members and important back-to-school information. The vendors include: the Henderson Family YMCA with information on the STRIDE program for boys and Girls on the Run program; Vance County 4-H; Henderson Fire Department; Midnight Blue Martial Arts; Ballet Arts; Boho the Clown; West End Baptist Church JOY Club; and Clearview Church.

News 07/14/17

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NC Buyers Beware: Six stores pay fines for price-scanning errors

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RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division has collected fines from stores in Currituck, Durham, Rockingham, Wake and Wilson counties because of excessive price-scanner errors.

“We want consumers to be confident that the price on the shelf matches the price that’s scanned at the register,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Stores have a responsibility to make sure their pricing is accurate, and most stores pass inspection. Ones that don’t are fined until they come into compliance. Consumers who would like to file a complaint about a store can call the Standards Division at 919-707-3225.”

The department conducts periodic, unannounced inspections of a business’ price-scanner system to check for accuracy between the prices advertised and the prices that ring up at the register. If a store has more than a 2-percent error rate on overcharges, inspectors discuss the findings with the store manager and conduct a more intensive follow-up inspection at a later date. Undercharges are also reported, but do not count against a store.

Penalties are assessed if a store fails a follow-up inspection. In addition to the penalties paid, the store will be subject to re-inspection every 60 days from the last inspection until it meets the 2-percent-or-less error rate. Additional penalties may be assessed if the store fails a re-inspection. Following are stores that paid civil penalties in the first quarter of 2017:

  • (Currituck) Dollar General #8763 at 6431 Caratoke Hwy., Grandy, paid $1,380 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in February found an error rate of 5 percent, based on five overcharges in a 100-item lot. A second inspection in March found an error rate of 3.67 percent, based on 11 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in May.
  • (Durham) Dollar General #12773 at 101 Ganyard Farm Way, Durham, paid $517.50 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in March found an error rate of 6 percent, based on three overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection in April found an error rate of 3 percent, based on nine overcharges in a 300-item lot. A third inspection in June found an error rate of 5.67 percent, based on 17 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store was assessed $2,105 in penalties and will be re-inspected.
  • (Durham) Office Depot #2687 at 5600 S. Miami Blvd., Durham, paid a total of $5,235 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in October 2016 found an error rate of 16 percent, based on eight overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection in November found an error rate of 7.33 percent, based on 22 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store paid $1,710 in penalties. A third inspection in January found an error rate of 5.33 percent, based on 16 overcharges in a 50-item lot. The store paid $1,610. A fourth inspection in March found an error rate of 3 percent, based on nine overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store paid $1,915. The store passed inspection in May.
  • (Rockingham) Dollar General #10976 at 1200 E. Stadium Drive, Eden, paid $592.50 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in February found an error rate of 8 percent, based on 4 overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection in March found an error rate of 4.67 percent, based on 14 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in May.
  • (Wake) Family Dollar #3594 at 3416 Poole Road, Raleigh, paid a total of $9,360 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in March 2016 found an error rate of 8 percent, based on four overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection in April 2016 found an error rate of 3.33 percent, based on 10 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store paid 1,290 in penalties. A third inspection in June 2016 found an error rate of four percent, based on 12 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store paid $1,865. A fourth inspection in August found an error rate of 4.67 percent, based on 11 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store paid $2,785. A fifth inspection in October found an error rate of 3.67 percent based on 11 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store paid $3,420. The store passed inspection in January.
  • (Wilson) Family Dollar #359 at 1301-J Ward Blvd. South, Wilson, paid $1,800 in civil penalties. An initial inspection in August 2016 found an error rate of 8 percent, based on four overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection in October found an error rate of 3.67 percent, based on 11 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in January.