Bear Hit By Car In The City Limits of Henderson

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For the second time in as many months, a bear has been hit by a car in the Vance-Granville area, and the resulting injuries required that the bear be euthanized.  Unlike last time when the bear involved was hit on I-85 in Granville County, this time it happened in the city limits of Henderson.

Police Chief Marcus Barrow told WIZS News, “Last night about 9:30 or 10:00 o’clock, a bear was struck on Ruin Creek Road at 85 right there by Sheetz and the hospital.”

No one was injured, but the car involved sustained the same amount of damage you might expect from striking a deer.

“The bear was struck and enough damage was done (to the bear) that wildlife came and had to put the bear down,” Barrow said.

The thought was, and the chief agreed, that even though it was on the edge of the city limits, this is pretty close to town for a bear.  He said, “I wouldn’t have thought a bear would be that close to town, but there’s enough woods in that area I guess.”

It was a 115-to-120-pound bear that North Carolina Wildlife Officials believed, according to Barrow, was about a one-and-a-half year old male.

Barrow said, “I would have much rather we found the bear in the intersection and tranquilized him and took it back out somewhere.  It’s just unusual to have a bear in town.”

Two Henderson Residents Face Drug-Related Charges

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On Wednesday, June 15, 2016, members of the Henderson Police Department Special Operations Unit executed a search warrant at 410 Julia Street, Henderson.  During the search, officers seized a quantity of cocaine, U. S. Currency, pills and a firearm.  Two individuals were charged as a result of the search.HPD - Shameeha Sommerville1

Shameeha Sarah Sommerville, 30, 410 Julia Street, Henderson was charged with one count of possession with the intent to manufacture, sell, and deliver cocaine, maintaining a dwelling for keeping a controlled substance, simple possession of cocaine, and simple possession of marijuana.  Sommerville was placed in the Vance County Jail after failing to post a 30,000.00 secured bond.  A preliminary hearing has been scheduled in Vance County District Court on June 27, 2016.

Rodney Duran Yancey, 28, 410 Julia Street, Henderson was charged with two counts of possession with the intent to manufacture, sell, and deliver heroin, manufacturing heroin – 2 counts, maintaining a vehicle for keeping controlled substance, trafficking heroin – 2 counts, maintaining a vehicle for keeping controlled substance, simple possession of cocaine, simpleHPD - Rodney Yancey1
possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Yancey was placed in the Vance County Jail after failing to post a 346,000.00 secured bond.  A preliminary hearing has been scheduled in Vance County District Court on June 27, 2016.

The heroin charges stemmed from an earlier investigation involving Yancey.

HPD Press Release – Authority: Chief Marcus Barrow

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Henderson Collegiate Teacher Charged With Taking Indecent Liberties With A Minor

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A former teacher with Henderson Collegiate school was charged by Henderson Police on June 16.

Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow told WIZS News, “Trevor Major Rorie of 145 Cambridge Way, Henderson was charged with six counts of felony indecent liberties with a minor, one count of misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile and one count of misdemeanor child abuse.  A secure bond amount of $210,000 was set.  Rorie was jailed, and the court date will be July 5, 2016. The investigation will continue to determine if further charges are warranted.  The State Bureau of Investigation assisted with the investigation.”

Henderson Collegiate school posted on its web page on June 16 a letter from Executive Director Eric Sanchez.  Sanchez spoke to WIZS News and gave permission to re-publish the letter.

It was addressed to Henderson Collegiate families and says, “We recently learned that a former second-year teacher at Henderson Collegiate High School has been arrested and charged with engaging in inappropriate physical contact with students. Upon first learning of these allegations, we immediately placed the teacher on leave and notified the Henderson Police Department. We have since terminated the teacher’s employment and turned the matter over to the police, and we are cooperating fully with the investigation.

“This news is disturbing for all of us. The staff and I take the well-being and general safety of your children seriously, and we acted quickly and forcefully in this instance to eliminate any further risk to the student body.

“As all of you already know, our Pride of parents, students, and staff mean the world to me. I am available if you have any questions or concerns,” and Sanchez provided his contact information.

In a phone interview, Sanchez told WIZS News, “The question we are getting from a lot of supportive people is ‘How are we doing? How are we enduring and coping with this situation?’  And it’s a valid question.  There’s the normal thoughts that anyone would guess.  And I’m not saying myself.  I’m saying all of us, our community, myself included.

“What we are trying to do within this situation, as anybody would do when you face adversity, is to turn it into a real learning experience.  And the experience that we want people to have, definitely within our community, is that there is a bigger conversation around what it means to have appropriate relationships, around safety that people are having these conversations with their children, that we’re having our conversations with our students so these types of situations don’t reach the level that they unfortunately seem to have.”

Sanchez continued, “The other piece of that that I think is important with us is that we’re a school that has had a lot of success and celebrated a lot of great things as a school and as a community, and this is a time that we should not abandon that type of mindset.  It should actually push it even more where we come together as a pride, as a school and really support one another as we seek to heal.”

He said, “We are just trying to support this investigation as much as we can.  We acted quickly and tried to be very responsible, and we are doing everything we can to support the police and their efforts – one to do their investigation but two to also make sure people feel safe to come forward if anyone has been affected by it.”

Henderson Middle School Uniforms

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Students who attend Henderson Middle School will be required to wear school uniforms for the 2016-2017 school year following action by the Vance County Board of Education on June 13.

The board approved a recommendation by Superintendent Anthony Jackson that the school be allowed to require the uniforms based on information shared by Principal John Hargrove and school staff members.

Hargrove and his staff presented a detailed report to the board members on how they sought staff and parent input during the planning for student uniforms, the advantages of having student uniforms and what the uniforms will include.

Hargrove noted that in a survey process, carried out over several weeks, parents of students overwhelmingly favored the requirement for student uniforms. He also explained that student uniforms are $10 to $15 cheaper than regular clothing per outfit and will eliminate any stigma or differences among students, thus improving discipline and the overall environment for students at the school.

The student uniforms will consist of white, royal blue or light blue knit shirts (with collars) and khaki, navy blue or black pants. All students must wear shirts tucked in and belts at all times. Certain shoes, which include solid-colored white, black or brown shoes, must be worn at all times by all students. The shoes can be loafer, lace-up or buckle shoes (for girls).

Henderson Middle joins Pinkston Street and L.B. Yancey elementary schools in requiring students to wear uniforms.

(Vance County Schools Press Release)