Lawn Care Seminar at the VCR Farmers Market

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Lawn Care Seminar to be held at the Vance County Regional Farmer’s Market on August 19th at 12 noon.  Join in and learn all you need to know to have a beautiful lawn.  Items covered will include everything from fertilization to weed control to irrigation.  Special emphasis will be given to the tasks you should be doing over the next few weeks to make sure your lawn looks great next year!  FREE of charge!  For more information, call 252-438-8188 or e-mail paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu

Relay for Life of Vance County 2015

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On May 29, 2015 WIZS performed a live broadcast from Southern Vance High School in Henderson in order to provide Vance County and beyond with live coverage of the 36th annual “Relay for Life of Vance County” event. 433 participants were in attendance at the two-day relay around Southern Vance’s Raider Stadium track to benefit the American Cancer Society.

The celebration began on Friday evening with the singing of the National Anthem. Many were already walking around the track as vendors and charity booths served hot food, sweets, and offered carnival-style games to support the cause. At the far end of the field several inflatable playgrounds were made available.

The event was denoted by smiles and support from those in attendance who walked the track as single participants or as part of one of the 41 groups wearing matching team T-Shirts that came out in memory of individuals they have lost or to help those in need that are currently struggling with cancer.

Live music played throughout the night from the center stage halting only briefly for the evening’s special events such as the motorcycle lap and a heart-felt speech from Henderson Mayor “Pete” O’Geary.

By nightfall the field was filled with participants as the edges of the track were lined with ceremonial luminaries purchased by attendees and signed with well wishes as well as the names of those who have been affected by cancer. Around 9pm on Friday the stadium lights which surrounded the field were turned off for a moment of silence and prayer for those who have had and are currently struggling with the illness.

Throughout Friday afternoon and evening WIZS’ John Charles Rose broadcast live coverage and commentary of the event while Jason Walsh took pictures and collected interviews from vendors, event officials, and those walking the track. Henderson Mayor “Pete” O’Geary provided an exclusive interview to John Charles Rose following his evening speech.

The broadcast also included music, weather, and news from John Stevenson who controlled and monitored the live coverage from inside the studio. The event wrapped up on Saturday afternoon with a closing ceremony to honor those lost and celebrate those who are part of the fight to end this disease. The 36th annual “Relay for Life of Vance County” event brought in a total of over $79,000, as of the end of the annual event, to benefit research conducted by the American Cancer Association.   Additional monies will be raised and turned in for several more months until the 37th Annual Relay for Life Fundraiser and fiscal period begins in the fall.  For more information about volunteering or donating to the ACS visit their website at www.cancer.org.

ALE Makes Numerous Arrests in Response to Complaint at Walnut Creek Amphitheater

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RALEIGH — The North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement’s District Office in Raleigh received numerous complaints from the public about illegal drug activity and alcohol violations occurring at Walnut Creek Amphitheater, an outlet in Raleigh that is licensed by the N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Commission. In response to the complaints, ALE conducted a special enforcement operation Aug. 14, and arrested 65 people on 115 charges (25 felonies).

The following people were arrested:

Patrick Martin Tobin, 24, of Ruckersville, VA
-Sell and Deliver Marijuana, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance
-Possess LSD, a Schedule I Controlled Substance
-Possess Hashish, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance (Misdemeanor)

Scott James Miles, 24, of Charlottesville, VA
-Possess MDMA, a Schedule I Controlled Substance
-Possess Cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance
-Possess LSD, a Schedule I Controlled Substance

David Gordon Johnson, 54, of Deland, FL
-Possess Cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance
-Possess Marijuana, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)

Victor Rich Marlar, 37, Asheville, NC
-Possess Psilocybin, a Schedule I Controlled Substance
-Possess Marijuana Candies, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance (Misdemeanor)

Megan Kathleen Floyd, 29, of Raleigh, NC
-Possess Psilocybin, a Schedule I Controlled Substance
-Resist, Obstruct, or Delay a Law Enforcement Officer (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)

Mark Lloyd Olson, 45, of San Diego, California
-Possess With Intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance
-Resist, Obstruct, or Delay a Law Enforcement Officer (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)

Bradley Hamilton Corpening, 32, of Wilmington, NC
-Possess Psilocybin, a Schedule I Controlled Substance

Matthew Ryan Beckelhimer, 33, of Wilmington, NC
-Possess Psilocybin, a Schedule I Controlled Substance

Nicholas Daniel Beto, 25, of Lititz, PA
-Possess LSD, a Schedule I Controlled Substance

Warren Joseph Rolison, 34, of Fountain, NC
-Possess LSD, a Schedule I Controlled Substance
-Possess MDMA, a Schedule I Controlled Substance

Joseph Peter Villari, 24, of Athens, GA
-Possess With Intent to Sell and Deliver MDMA, a Schedule I Controlled Substance
-Possess MDMA, a Schedule I Controlled Substance
-Possess Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)

David Wayne Bowers II, 30 of High Point, NC
-Possess With Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance
-Possess With Intent to Sell and Deliver Counterfeit Controlled Substance
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Matthew Alan McLamb, 42, Clayton, NC
-Possess Marijuana, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance (Misdemeanor)

Marcus H. Beto, 31, of Lititz, PA
-Possess Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Mark William Case, 49, of Santa Cruz, CA
-Possess With Intent to Sell and Deliver Counterfeit Controlled a Substance

Tyler Keith White, 34, of Columbia, SC
-Possess With Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance
-Maintaining a Vehicle for the Purpose of Possessing Cocaine

Justin Alan Johnson, 20, of Etna, OH
-Underage Possession of a Malt Beverage (Misdemeanor)

Ernest C. Megazzini II, 55, of Alpharetta, GA
-Possess Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Hannah Rose Pruett, 25, of Knightdale, NC
-Possess Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Samuel Keith McClure, 33, of San Diego, CA
-Possess Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Jonathan William Edwards, 30, of Raleigh, NC
-Possess Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Catherine Elena Komarow, 22, of McLean, VA
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Garry William Hardwicke, 56, of Atlanta, GA
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Kyle Phillips Hall, 20, of Flat Rock, NC
-Possess Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Corey R. Charness, 22, of Cranston, RI
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Connor Alan Brown, 22, of Cary, NC
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Marc Ethan Hasell, 22, of Cary, NC
-Possess Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Hubert Andrew Huffstetler, 29, of Asheville, NC
-Sell Alcoholic Beverages Without ABC Permits (Misdemeanor)

Dianna Mazziotto, 38, of Asheboro, NC
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Joseph Andrew Leto, 31, of Deerfield Beach, FL
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Joshua Fitzgerald, 38, of Mineral, VA
-Sell Alcoholic Beverages Without ABC Permits (Misdemeanor)

Kevin Alexander Baringer, 28, of Knightdale, NC
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Willis Maxwell Tew, 24, of Pinehurst, NC
-Sell a Mixed Beverage to an Underage Person (Misdemeanor)

Katherine Kehoe, 20, of Apex, NC
-Underage Possession of a Malt Beverage (Misdemeanor)

Joseph Allen Okabuena, 22, of Raeford NC
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Kimberly Ann Murphy, 24, of Gaston, SC
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)

John Ekinci, 29, of Salem, VA
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Mark William Case, 49, of Santa Cruz, CA
-PWISD a counterfeit controlled substance (bath salts)
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)

Roger William Gray, 35, of Raleigh, NC
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Nicholas Daniel Beto, 25, of Lititz, PA
-Possess Schedule II Controlled Substance (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Schedule IV (Misdemeanor)
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Austin Hunter Brown, 21, of Virginia Beach, VA
-Aid and abet underage (Misdemeanor)

Timothy Ryan Acheson, 36, of Denver, CO
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Christopher Mullins, 36, of Rocherster, NY
-Sell alcoholic beverages without permit (Misdemeanor)

Dylan Alexander English, 22, of Morongo Valley, CA
-Sell alcoholic beverages without permit (Misdemeanor)

Thomas Curtis, 48, of Bena, VA
-Give malt beverage to underage (Misdemeanor)

Alyssa Caroline Richter, 19, of Crestwood, KY
-Sell alcoholic beverages without permit (Misdemeanor)
-Possess a malt beverage underage (Misdemeanor)

Stephen Walter Pakral, 29, of Denver, CO
-Sell alcoholic beverages without permit (Misdemeanor)

Joshua Thomas Harris, 31, of Fairfield, OH
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)

Matthew Robert Luty, 40, of Durham, NC
-Sell alcoholic beverages without a permit (Misdemeanor)

Benjamin Lee Wilson, 28, of Lexington, NC
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Mason Riley Brown, 17, of Virginia Beach, VA
-Possess malt beverage underage (Misdemeanor)

Matthew Ryan Beckelwimer, 33, of Wilmington, NC
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)

Marcus Obrian Hill, 38, of Raleigh, NC
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)

John Joseph Jarrell, 38, of Asheboro, NC
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)
Michael Joseph Gardner, 53, of Durham, NC
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Justin Gregory  Rawlings, 38, of Charlotte, NC
-Possess for sale alcoholic beverages without permit (Misdemeanor)
-Sell alcoholic beverages without permit (Misdemeanor)

Johathan Stivers Bowling, 43, of Greenville, NC
-Possess for sale alcoholic beverages without a permit (Misdemeanor)
-Sell alcoholic beverages without a permit (Misdemeanor)

Charles Horvath, 20, of Charlotte, NC
-Possess a malt beverage underage (Misdemeanor)

Joseph Legoullon, 35, of Raleigh, NC
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Dustin Stern, 36, of Moundsville, WV
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)

Derek Smith, 25, of La Grange, NC
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Schedule IV Controlled Substance (Misdemeanor)
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)

Jessie Lowder, 23, of Greensboro, NC
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)

Michaelle L Mcreed, 42, of Southbridge, MA
-Possess for sale alcoholic beverages without permit (Misdemeanor)
-Sell alcoholic beverages without permit (Misdemeanor)

Bradley Hamilton Corpening, 31, of Wilmington, NC
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess marijuana in a detention center

Jonathan David Leeds, 25, of Durham, NC
-Possess Schedule I Controlled Substance (LSD)

Kristofer Richard Barringer, 33, of Knightdale, NC
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Schedule I Controlled Substance
-Possess for sale alcoholic beverages without permit (Misdemeanor)

ALE agents have the authority to arrest and take investigatory action for any criminal offense.  Their primary responsibility is the enforcement of Alcoholic Beverage Control laws and state lottery laws.

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“SportsMayhem” Programming Note

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Starting on Monday, August 17th at 1:30 p.m., WIZS Radio will begin carrying “NASCAR Today Midday,” which is a production of the Motor Racing Network – The Voice of NASCAR. “NASCAR Today Midday” is a daily update of all things going on in the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Xfinity, and Camping World Truck Series.

The new two-minute program is sure to be a hit on “SportsMayhem,” and will provide WIZS Cup participants with valuable information as they make their race picks on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons.

Listen to “SportsMayhem” every weekday from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. on 1450 AM WIZS and online at the all new WIZS.com.

Press Release from DA Mike Waters

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Louisburg, NC – On Monday, August 10, 2015, the Franklin County Grand Jury returned a true bill of indictment against Garry A. Yarborough for the First Degree Murder of Tracy Williams.  Garry A. Yarborough was also indicted for the following charges: Burning Personal Property, First Degree Kidnapping, Felony Breaking and or Entering and Felonious Assault With a Deadly Weapon Intent to Kill. Indictments returned against the defendant are not evidence of guilt and Mr. Yarborough is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Mr. Yarborough remains in the custody of the Franklin County Sheriffs Office.

A Rule 24 Hearing will be scheduled for August 27, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. before the Honorable Robert H. Hobgood.

(Full Yarborough Press Release)

H-V Crime Stoppers Breakfast

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Wednesday morning at 7:30, local law enforcement, community leaders and the Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers board enjoyed a celebratory breakfast at the local Golden Corral.  The Crime Stoppers Annual Law Enforcement breakfast is put on each year as means of simply saying thank you.H-V Crime Stoppers breakfast 2015

As it so happens, September 25, 2015 will mark the 30th year for Crime Stoppers here in Vance County.

Lorraine Watkins, who also owns and operates Screen Master downtown, is the H-V Crime Stoppers board chair.  She was present, speaking one on one with many in attendance and offered words of thanks.  Clarence Hicks is the present day vice chair.

Lt. Irvin Robinson, now retired from full-time duty with the Henderson Police Department, servers at the Crime Stoppers coordinator.  Robinson said well over 100 crimes have been solved in Vance County since the year 2000 as a result of Crime Stoppers, with 10s of thousands of dollars having been paid out anonymously.

Robinson is only the second coordinator in these 30 years.  Sam Pearson, who retired from the Henderson Police Department in 2000, was the original coordinator.  Pearson was well known and well respected in this community.

Tom Long was the original chairperson when Crime Stoppers began in the Henderson area on September 25, 1985.  Long was the long-time instructor of law enforcement training at Vance Granville Community College.

The Crime Stoppers Association actually began here in 1982, but apparently it was a few more years before the organization was fully operational as we know it today.

 

Gov. McCrory Signs New Bills

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Raleigh, N.C.— Governor Pat McCrory has signed the following bills into law.

 

  • H.B. 566 – A bill to amend the Eyewitness Identification Reform Act. The bill clarifies that law enforcement officers may be eyewitnesses. The bill defines and sets minimum standards for show-ups, a procedure used by law enforcement to determine whether an eyewitness is able to identify the perpetrator of a crime, and requires the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission to develop additional policies on the conduct of show-ups.
  • H.B. 724 – A bill to revise the membership of the North Carolina Medical Board by increasing the number of appointees by the Governor from five to six to provide that at least one physician assistant and at least one nurse practitioner must serve as members of the Board.
  • H.B. 814 – A bill to require the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to establish a medical examiner training program that includes training regarding Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), thereby enabling the state’s medical examiners to identify deaths attributable to SUDEP. 
  • H.B. 284 – A bill to clarify that imposition of a fine is not an allowable sanction for civil contempt. 
  • H.B. 584 – A bill to amend the State Government Ethics Act to permit a covered person to mention their public position in certain letters of reference, responses to inquiries of potential employers, and in a letter written at the request of a person seeking employment. A “covered person” is a legislator, public servant, or judicial officer as identified by the State Ethics Commission.
  • H.B. 800 – A bill to make omnibus technical and clarifying changes to North Carolina’s Motor Vehicle Dealers and Manufacturers Licensing Law.
  • S.B. 336 – A bill to amend the law governing estate planning and fiduciaries to amend the Uniform Trust Code and to establish a Uniform Powers of Appointment Act.
  • S.B. 386 – A bill to specify fees for filing instruments governed by the Uniform Commercial Code with registers of deeds.
  • H.B. 538 – A bill to make omnibus changes to statutes authorizing water and sewer authorities created under Article 1 of Chapter 162A.
  • S.B. 273 – A bill to authorize counties to reduce or waive interest or penalties on delinquent motor vehicle taxes for tax years prior to July 1, 2013.

Vance County Board of Commissioners Committee / Special Meeting Schedule

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Please be informed that the Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, August 18 at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room.  The purpose is to enter into closed session to discuss a personnel matter.

The following committee meetings will be held in the administrative conference room.

Public Safety Committee (Brummitt, Brown, Wilder)

Wednesday, August 19 at 4:00 p.m.

Purpose: Review Animal Shelter Drawings

Tax Reval Ad Hoc Committee (Brummitt, Brown, Garrison)

Monday, August 31 at 2:00 p.m.

Purpose:  Tax Revaluation matters

Water Planning Committee (Garrison, Brummitt, Taylor)

Monday, August 31 at 3:00 p.m.

Purpose:  Water Project matters

Properties Committee (Brown, Brummitt, Hester)

Tuesday, September 1 at 9:00 a.m.

Purpose: Property matters

VGCC Names New Director of Student Activities & Athletics

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Jeffrey Allen has been named the director of student activities and athletics at Vance-Granville Community College.

Allen will oversee clubs, organizations and extracurricular activities that engage students on campus, as well as the college’s intercollegiate athletics program, which includes men’s basketball and women’s volleyball teams. He will also serve as the advisor for the VGCC Student Government Association (SGA). Allen was active in student government when he was an undergraduate, and feels passionately about involving VGCC students in such opportunities.jeff-allen-2015b

A resident of southern Granville County, Allen has been a member of the VGCC staff since May 2012, when he became coordinator of Basic Skills at the college’s Franklin County Campus. In January 2014, he was named VGCC’s Director of Leadership and Professional Development.

Allen earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics at North Carolina Central University and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Western Governors University. He had a 14-year career in education at the K-12 level prior to joining VGCC. Allen has served as a math teacher for Vance County Schools, a math teacher and dean of students at New Century Charter High School in Chapel Hill, and a math teacher and assistant principal at Christian Faith Center Academy in Creedmoor. During his last three years at Christian Faith Center, Allen also served as the school’s athletic director.

“In all of his roles at VGCC, Jeffrey has shown his commitment to the mission, vision and values of our college, as well as a passion for student learning, engagement and success. Now, we look forward to his leadership in providing exciting opportunities and experiences outside the classroom for all of our Vanguards,” VGCC Vice President of Employee and Public Relations Stacey Carter-Coley said. “Under his direction, we will also continue to develop our athletic program, which not only offers excellent opportunities for our student-athletes, but also serves and enriches our whole community of fans and supporters.”

Duke FB Depth vs Injuries

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August 11, 2015

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke head football coach David Cutcliffe announced on Tuesday that redshirt junior running back Jela Duncan will be out of action indefinitely after suffering a partially torn right pectoral muscle during Monday’s morning practice.  Cutcliffe also noted that two other running backs – redshirt sophomore Joseph Ajeigbe and sophomore Shaun Wilson – are nursing lower body injuries and are currently sidelined from contact drills.

“Just when you feel comfortable with four experienced running backs on the depth chart, three of them are in the training room,” Cutcliffe said.  “Jela’s injury is obviously disappointing because we know how hard he’s worked to get back into the thick of things following the two shoulder surgeries.  Joe and Shaun aren’t available right now, but neither appears to be out long term.”

The Blue Devil offensive coaching staff has shifted redshirt freshman Nicodem Pierre from quarterback to running back.

“I’m really proud of Nico and how he’s handled this situation,” Cutcliffe said.  “With his unselfishness and commitment to this program, he is displaying the traits of the ultimate teammate.  And I absolutely love it because it’s a great sign of the growth of our program when the young men take ownership of the organization and have the passion to contribute in any way possible.”

Duncan rushed 222 times for 1,115 yards and seven touchdowns as a two-year letterman in 2012-13 before missing the 2014 campaign.  As reserves in 2014, Ajeigbe had 41 rushing attempts for 150 yards and Wilson totaled 78 carries for 598 yards.  Pierre, who entered the fall as the third string signal-caller behind redshirt junior Thomas Sirk and redshirt sophomore Parker Boehme, did not see game action a season ago while serving as the primary scout team quarterback.

Additionally, junior cornerback Bryon Fields, who started all 13 games a season ago while posting 70 tackles and one interception, will miss extended time during preseason camp due to a leg injury.  Sophomore Alonzo Saxton II, who appeared in eight games in 2014 and registered 12 tackles, has been the primary replacement for Fields with the first unit.

“Injuries create opportunities for others,” Cutcliffe noted.  “While it is never easy to replace a starter, we’re certainly confident in the depth we’ve established.  The bottom line is that our young guys have to be ready for the challenge when their number is called.”

The Blue Devils open the 2015 season at Tulane on Thursday, September 3 (9:30 p.m.; CBS Sports Network).  Duke season tickets are available online at www.GoDuke.com/footballtix or by calling the Duke Athletic Ticket Office at 919-681-BLUE.