The Local Skinny! Upcoming MLK Day Events

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A couple of free programs commemorating the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will take place Monday, Jan. 15 in Oxford.

The Granville County Human Relations Commission will host “Remembering the Dream by Calling for Unity and a Celebration of Diversity in our Community” beginning at 10 a.m. at Oxford Baptist Church, 147 Main St.

Winners of the annual essay contest will be announced and their winning essays will be read aloud during the program. Featured speaker for the program is the Rev. Dr. Brett Pardue, senior pastor at Oxford Baptist Church.

The Granville County Human Relations Commission invites all the Granville County community to celebrate diversity and unity in Granville County while also honoring the academic achievement and writing talent of local  students. Please bring donations of canned and non-perishable food items for Area Congregations in Ministry food bank.

For more information about the program, please contact the Granville County administration office at 919.693.5240 or audrey.hill@granvillecounty.org.

Then, at 4 p.m., the Oxford-Granville Martin Luther King Celebration Committee is hosting “an evening of dialogue, tribute and celebration” at First Baptist Church, 320 Granville St.

Dorothy Wimbush said the committee sends out a special invitation to youth to attend the program, which will include special music and remarks by keynote speaker Granville County Sheriff Robert D. Fountain III.

Essay contest winners will read their winning entries during the program, and musical entertainment will be provided by “Covenant” of Roanoke Rapids and Devon Paylor and “Instrument of Praise.”

The committee chair is Larry Downey and members of the scholarship committee include Candice Sanford, Rev. Faye E. Thorpe, Linda Downey and Evangelist Renita Timberlake.

Donations will be accepted. Checks should be made payable to:

MLK Celebration

P.O. Box 441

Oxford, NC 27565

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TownTalk: Rise Against Hunger Pack-A-Thon Set For Monday, Jan. 15; Volunteers Needed

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Volunteers from area churches and other organizations are joining forces on the upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to pack food that will be used to feed hungry people across the world.

Sandra Wiggins is one of the event organizers and she said that over the course of four hours or so on Monday, Jan. 15, she expects to be able to pack 60,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger.

“We did 30,000 in about three or four hours last year,” Wiggins said on Monday’s TownTalk. “We know we can definitely hit this mark this year – we’re just really excited to do this…on Martin Luther King Day,” she said.

The Rise Against Hunger pack-a-thon will take place at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Wiggins represents The First Baptist Church of Henderson, but she said numerous churches and school groups from Henderson and Oxford are signed up to participate as well.

So far, the following groups are participating: First Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church, Henderson, South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church, Oxford Preparatory School, Flat Rock United Methodist Church, Fuller Chapel, Davis Chapel, South Henderson Church of God, Clearview Church and Cornerstone Christian Community Church. Wiggins said Vance Charter School and Oxford United Methodist Church plans to send volunteers as well.

“This is really a community event,” Wiggins said. About 100 people have signed up so far, and there’s still time to register – they need several hundred volunteers to sign up to work a two-hour shift. The first shift is from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and the second shift is from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Participants should report to the civic center and sign in, and from there, they’ll head to a packing station where they will help measure out individual bags of rice, seasonings and vitamins.

Most of the food packs will be transported overseas, but Wiggins said some are kept here in the U.S. for use when disaster strikes.

Register or give online at events.riseagainsthunger.org/VGMLK24. There’s a $25,000 fundraising goal that goes along with the pack-a-thon. Wiggins said $45 provides 100 meals.

But the event is about more than packing nutritional food and sending it to impoverished areas across the world.

Wiggins said next week’s event also shines a light on two local organizations that work to fight hunger right here in Vance and Granville counties.

She invites all participants to the Rise Against Hunger event to bring canned goods or other non-perishable items to be delivered to ACTS and ACIM, the food bank in Oxford.

Wiggins shared one of her favorite quotes attributed to King, the slain Civil rights leader whose work is honored and remembered on Jan. 15.

“Love has to be put into action and that action is service,” Wiggins said, adding that “when we have the ability to do, we should.”

Henderson Man Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison On Drugs, Weapons Charges

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-information courtesy of the office of Eastern District of North Carolina U.S. Attorney Michael Easley

A Henderson man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for trafficking fentanyl and possession of firearms, including a firearm loaded with a large capacity magazine, and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina praised the efforts of local police for their help in the case.

Tyrik Pettaway, 21, pled guilty in July 2023 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin and fentanyl and possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin and fentanyl, according to information released Monday by the Eastern District office of U.S. Attorney Michael Easley.

“The unwavering dedication and relentless efforts of the Henderson Police Department have been instrumental in upholding justice and ensuring the safety of our community,” Easley said in the press statement. “Their exemplary commitment to teamwork among state and federal law enforcement is commendable and emboldens public trust in our justice system.”

“Our collaboration with the Eastern District of North Carolina U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to benefit our community,” commented Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow. “The efforts of all involved are evident. I am hopeful this sentence gives pause to those in our community walking a similar path.”

 

According to court documents and other information presented in court, after receiving multiple reports that Pettaway and Neno King were dealing drugs, law enforcement conducted multiple controlled purchases of suspected heroin containing fentanyl from Pettaway and King in the spring of 2022. In March 2022, agents executed a search warrant at a residence used by Pettaway in Henderson where they recovered a firearm with a large capacity magazine and approximately 1,100 dosage units of a substance containing fentanyl, rifle ammunition, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Pettaway has prior felony convictions for possession of a stolen firearm (2020), possession with the intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver heroin (2020 and 2021), and breaking and entering to terrorize (2020). King pled guilty to drug trafficking and gun charges in March 2023 and was sentenced in August to 180 months in prison.

 

Three Found Shot to Death Inside Home

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From the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Curtis Brame:

On January 6, 2024 at approximately 4:32 p.m., the Vance County Sheriff’s Office responded to 1064 Abbott Road, Henderson in reference to a welfare check.

Deputies discovered three people inside the residence deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. The Vance County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division along with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Scene Unit responded to the scene.

During the initial investigation, the three individuals inside the residence were identified as Danielle Williams (49 years old) of Henderson, Tre’von Hargrove (25 years old) of Henderson and Juan Black (47 years old) of Louisburg. Danielle Williams and Tre’von Hargrove were residents of 1064 Abbott Road.

At this time, the incident appears to be an isolated event, and there is no evidence of danger to the general public.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at 252-738-2200 or the Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or through the P3 App.

The Local Skinny! ‘Next NC Scholarship’ Helps Students Pay For College

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When it comes to paying for a college education, one of the first things for parents and students to know is the difference between scholarships and grants versus loans. A loan has to be repaid; grants and scholarships don’t.

Vance-Granville Community College President Dr. Rachel Desmarais said her school’s financial aid officers at each of the college’s four campuses are ready to help prospective students as they navigate the sometimes choppy waters of paying for post-secondary schooling.

The Next NC Scholarship is just one of the funding streams available to many state residents, Desmarais said on Monday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

Students in households that make less than $80,000 are eligible for at least $3,000 an academic year at a community college under the Next NC Scholarship. There are several other criteria to be eligible for the Next NC funds, including being a state resident already enrolled in a program and taking at least 6 credit hours.

Close to one-third of VGCC’s traditional student population use some type of financial aid to pay for their tuition and fees, she said.

Whether students are in a path for a certification, a two-year associate degree or want to transfer to a four-year college or university, Desmarais said it’s important to keep student loan debt as low as possible.
“The less debt you can accumulate during that time is important,” she said, adding that scholarships like the Next NC Scholarship and Pell Grants from the federal government both help students be able to afford college.

“They help individuals get that good job and not be stacked with debt,” Desmarais said.

“If you’re spending all your money repaying student loans, you’re not really getting ahead,” she noted.

Many high school seniors and their parents are in the process of completing the all-important Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which opened on Dec. 31, 2023.

VGCC will host a FAFSA Day on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on the Main Campus in Henderson, Desmarais said. This is a time when families can learn more about the financial aid process and get help completing the online documents. The event will take place in Building 7, with check-in in the front lobby. There is plenty of nearby parking to accommodate participants.

“We’re here to help,” Desmarais said. “We enjoy meeting new folks and helping them walk through the financial aid process. We’re excited about helping people plan for college.”

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Pizza Delivery Driver Robbed, Car Stolen

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Henderson Police Department Press Release:

On December 23, 2023 around 12:16 AM, officers received a report that a driver from Papa John’s had been robbed in the area of Burwell Avenue and his vehicle was stolen. The suspects were described as two males and one having a firearm. The vehicle, a Hyundai Tucson, was located in the area of Nicholas Street. Officers responded to the area and located the stolen vehicle. The driver attempted to flee on Chavasse Avenue and stop sticks were deployed. The stop sticks were successful in stopping the vehicle. The driver exited the vehicle and ran to the area of Raleigh Road where he was apprehended by officers.

The driver of the vehicle, Zion Howard, 19, was arrested and charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, larceny of a motor vehicle, and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Howard received a $100,000 secured bond and was remanded to the Vance County Jail.

A suspect vehicle was also located on Chavasse Avenue that was following the stolen vehicle. This vehicle was stopped and the driver, Kyle’ Williams, 20, was arrested and charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery, and carrying a concealed weapon. Williams received a $100,000 secured bond and remanded to the Vance County Jail.

Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow

Suspect Arrested in Connection with Multiple Break-Ins in the County

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Press Release from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame:

On January 3rd, 2024 the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division arrested Jason Ayscue, age 43.

He was arrested in connection with multiple break-ins that occurred between September 30, 2023 and November 14, 2023 at In A Minute Shop on NC 39 Highway South, Kerr Lake Bait and Tackle on Nutbush Road and Sunoco on North Garnet Street in Henderson.

Ayscue was charged with three counts of felony breaking and entering, four counts of felony breaking and entering a coin/currency machine and two counts of misdemeanor damage to a coin/currency machine.

Ayscue was confined to the Vance County Jail under a $35,000 secured bond.

He is scheduled to appear in court on February 1st, 2024.

Anyone with information about these cases is urged to contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at 252-738-2200 or 911.

Vance County Logo

William Coker New Vance County Animal Services Manager

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Vance County Manager Renee Perry has announced that William Coker has been selected to be the county’s Animal Services Manager.

Coker, a native of Vance County, has more than a decade of work experience in the county, having served in the Sheriff’s Office as well as with Animal Control.

He began his new role on Jan. 2, 2024 following a recruitment and interview process, Perry said in a press statement sent Thursday afternoon to WIZS. Coker succeeds Frankie Nobles, who accepted a new position as the county’s Special Projects Coordinator last year.

 

Maria Parham To Host Jan. 24 Open House For New Nurses

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Maria Parham Health invites nursing students or recent graduates of nursing programs to an Open House on Wednesday, Jan. 24 to learn about career opportunities in the health care industry.

The event will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the hospital’s main campus, 566 Ruin Creek Rd., according to information from MPH Market Coordinator Donna Young.

Prospective nurses will get the chance to speak with experienced nurses and health care leaders as they learn more about job opportunities and a variety of career paths that involve nursing.

Visit https://www.mariaparham.com/event/42 to register online.

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