Kerr Tar COG Adds Cynthia Pernell To Finance Staff

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The Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments has selected a Vance County native as its new finance and administrative assistant.

Cynthia Pernell, a Vance County native, is a graduate of Vance-Granville Community College with a double associates degree in Business Administration and Accounting, according to the December issue of the Kerr Tar COG newsletter.

Pernell had worked for the past 11 years as fiscal coordinator at Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start, having begun her career in the finance department of Henderson’s Camper Products, where she worked for eight years.

TownTalk: Pack And Ship Deadlines For Christmas

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At this time of year, the folks you see out shopping fall into two camps: Those who sat down to a Thanksgiving meal way back in November, content in the knowledge that the Christmas cards had been addressed and mailed, and gifts for everyone on the list had been purchased, if not already wrapped.

Then there’s that other camp – you know the one…the one where folks are flying around town in search of THE perfect gift, often passing up very nice, suitable gifts in search of THE perfect one.

Whichever camp you find yourself in this holiday season, if you must ship gifts to friends and family, time is running out if you want that gift opened on Dec. 25. In case you’re not looking at a calendar, that’s one week from today.

Mike Moore has watched folks come in to his Postal Plus location in Henderson for 33 years. He and his staff are ready to help you get those boxes weighed, labeled and in the bin for pickup.

Several key deadlines for shipping have already passed, but Moore said shipping packages out today or Tuesday should still be ok for getting those gifts to their destinations by Christmas.

“We can still get it done for you,” Moore said on Monday’s TownTalk.

Monday was the deadline for the U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail service, and Tuesday is the “drop-dead” deadline for 3-day guarantee service.

If you’re pushing the envelope, as it were, for shipping, Moore said Dec. 20 – Wednesday – is the deadline for 2-day shipments. And for those champion procrastinators, the 22nd is the last day for next day service – but it’s a service that comes with a price. “You’ll have to pay the overnight fee to get the Saturday delivery,” Moore said.

Of course, Moore also uses shipping giants Fed Ex and UPS, which generally make their pickup rounds about 3 p.m.

Things get a little busy by that time, so if you need extra help getting gifts in shipping boxes or wrapped securely to ensure a safe delivery, Moore said it’s a good idea to come in a little bit earlier in the day.

“We try to make things as easy and stress-free as we can,” Moore said.

“My staff is here ready to help you get it done.”

Visit Postal Plus at 993 S. Beckford Dr., online at https://www.postalplusbizcenter.com/ or phone 252.430.7771 for more information.

 

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NCDOT: Section Of I-85 Near Henderson Renamed Andrea L Harris Highway

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-information courtesy of the N.C. Department of Transportation

A stretch of Interstate 85 is now named in honor of Andrea Harris, the late civil rights activist from North Carolina who devoted her life to racial and social equity and helped many minority and women-owned businesses.

On Friday, Gov. Roy Cooper joined state and local dignitaries, and members of the Harris family at a ceremony in Raleigh to dedicate I-85 near the Vance-Warren County line as the “Andrea L Harris Highway.” Harris, 72, died in 2020 after battling an illness. Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon was among those in attendance.

“My friend Andrea Harris fought tirelessly to level the playing field for women and minority owned businesses, particularly in rural North Carolina,” Cooper said at Friday’s ceremony at the North Carolina State Archives Auditorium in Raleigh. “The opportunities she helped create for the diversity that makes us all stronger is a lasting legacy for this amazing pioneer.”

Governor Roy Cooper joined NCDOT leaders and other state and local dignitaries to dedicate a section of Interstate 85 for late civil rights activist Andrea L. Harris. (From left-to-right) are: State Board of Transportation member Valerie Jordan; Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon; Gov. Cooper; Harris’ niece, Alana Harris; NCDOT Deputy Secretary Ebony Pittman; and Church of Faith II Pastor Welton Barnes Sr.

Harris grew up in Henderson during the civil rights movement. In 1986, she co-founded a Durham-based economic development nonprofit that helped develop thousands of women and minority-owned businesses. For more than 25 years, Harris served as president of the North Carolina Institute for Minority Economic Development. Harris and her team provided businesses consulting and other supportive services and helped generate more than $1 billion in awards for minority businesses.

Among her achievements, Harris also helped create the North Carolina Senior Citizens Federation and Gateway Community Development Corporation, which provided resources to elderly and economically disadvantaged people in and around her native Vance County.

“She was passionate about helping others overcome barriers to economic growth and opportunity,” Ebony Pittman, the N.C. Department of Transportation’s deputy secretary for Business Administration, said. “I’m proud that as of today, everyone driving along three miles of Interstate 85 in Vance County will be reminded of the great contributions she had on her community and our state.”

In furthering Harris’ legacy, Cooper established the Andrea Harris Equity Task Force, a group of state leaders and others he appointed to address social, environmental, economic and health disparities in communities of color disproportionally impacted by COVID-19.

Harris, who was born in South Carolina and graduated from Bennett College in Greensboro, served on numerous boards and committees that advanced economic equity and inclusion. She earned a spot in the North Carolina Women’s Hall of Fame and received many awards, including The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which is among the most prestigious awards presented by the governor.

Alana Harris is a niece of Andrea Harris. She said having a highway named in her aunt’s honor will help spread her message.

“This highway dedication will be a perpetual reminder to every little black and brown child of their infinite potential,” Alana Harris said. “‘And if there isn’t a seat at the table,’ as my Aunt Andrea would say, ‘Take one anyway.’”

Suspect Arrested for Stealing School Bus Batteries

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— press release information from Sheriff Curtis Brame

November 27 the Vance County Sheriff’s Office received a report of batteries being stolen from school buses at Vance County Middle School and Vance County High School. Additional reports were received from the Vance County School Bus Garage of batteries being stolen from school buses.

On December 13 the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division charged and arrested Ethan Cole Fleming, 21, of Henderson in connection with the larcenies. Fleming was taken into custody without incident and remanded to the Vance County Jail under a $10,000 secured bond.

Although an arrest has been made, this case remains under investigation. Anyone with any information regarding these incidents is encouraged to contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at 252-738-2200 or Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or through the P3 App.

One Commissioner Contest in the Primary and One in the General Election

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It looks like there will be two contested seats on the Vance County Board of Commissioners in next year’s election, with two candidates running for the District 1 seat and two candidates running in District 2. The two-week filing period ended at 12 noon today, Friday, Dec. 15.

Valencia L. Perry filed Friday for the District 2 seat and will face incumbent Archie B. Taylor, Jr., according to information provided by Shelly Wood, deputy director of the Vance County Board of Elections; Taylor filed last week. In addition to Taylor, three other commissioners filed to retain their seats on the board: Carolyn Faines in District 1; Leo Kelly in District 5 and Yolanda Feimster in District 6.

Faines also faces a challenger in next year’s election. William Heitman filed as a Republican candidate for the District 1 seat.

There are three seats up for election on the Vance County Board of Education, with District 5 the only contested race of the three. Incumbent Linda Cobb filed for re-election. She will face challenger William Earl Purvis, who filed on Wednesday as a Democratic candidate. Incumbent Dorothy Williams Gooche filed as the Democratic candidate for District 3 and Ayana Fritz Lewis filed as a Democratic candidate for District 4.

Primary elections will be held on March 5, 2024 and the general election is slated for Nov, 5, 2024.

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VGCC Partners With Piedmont CC To Provide Cybersecurity Program

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Vance-Granville Community College is partnering with Piedmont Community College to create the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

The two colleges have established a Level-Two Instructional Service Agreement (ISA) for cybersecurity that will begin next month, according to information from VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel.

This comprehensive collaboration paves the way for both institutions to share resources, faculty expertise, instructional support and to develop work-ready talent in the cybersecurity sector.

As part of the agreement, PCC Cybersecurity Instructor Dr. Syed Raza will provide on-campus instruction at VGCC. He formerly was chair of the Computer Science Graduate Program at Talladega College. Raza holds a Doctorate in Computer Information Systems with an Information Assurance concentration, a master’s of Science in computer science from Nova Southeastern University and a master’s in business administration (MBA) from Strayer University. Raza is also a member of various Cybersecurity and Information Technology (IT) organizations.

“We are proud to partner with Piedmont Community College to provide excellent learning opportunities in information technology for PCC and VGCC students,” said VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais. “We can serve our communities better by pooling our resources, cooperating rather than competing.”

Piedmont CC contacted VGCC officials to gauge interest in working together and sharing resources to focus on cybercrime and cyber investigation. With this collaboration, VGCC will join a network of educational institutions working together to meet the growing talent needs of North Carolina’s public agencies and private businesses.

PCC President Dr. Pamela Senegal said, “This agreement reflects our commitment to ensuring students are ready to lead the way in cybersecurity. By aligning with VGCC, we aim to create an educational ecosystem that transcends boundaries and prepares students for success in an increasingly interconnected world.”

Online and hybrid classes offered will include:

  • SEC 110 Security Concepts (3 Credits)
  • CCT 110 Intro to Cyber Crime (3 Credits)
  • CCT 121 Computer Crime Investigation (4 Credits)
  • CTI 120 Network & Security Foundations (3 Credits)

A Level-Two ISA is defined as two or more colleges which plan to jointly offer curriculum or continuing education courses by sharing resources. One or more participating colleges must be approved to provide curriculum courses in an approved program of study or the continuing education courses the State Board has approved.

Visit www.piedmontcc.edu/cyber for more information.

Public Safety Committee Set To Review County Fire Department Needs For Equipment, Protective Gear

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The Vance County Fire Department needs six sets of turnout gear and four air packs, at the very least, to make sure firefighters have adequate protection when they are fighting fires, according to Chief Chris Wright.

But this year’s county budget included a freeze on capital improvements that has the procurement on hold, so far.

The issue was discussed at last week’s county commissioners’ meeting, with support and recommendation for lifting the freeze by County Manager Renee Perry, but it was referred to the Public Safety Committee, which is scheduled to meet on Dec. 20.

“We’re looking to replace three sets of gear,” Wright told WIZS News, because of damage or wear. Another three sets are for newer employees, who have been using turnout gear that doesn’t fit properly.

“It’s big and bulky on them,” Wright said. “You don’t want to have but so much void space between you and your protective gear. If you have too much void space, too much thermal heat, that’s when firefighters start to get steam burns” he said.

Sheriff Curtis Brame Selected To Statewide Community Violence Advisory Board

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Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame is one of 25 people from across the state to serve on the state’s first Community Violence Advisory Board. The board’s first meeting was held virtually, with plans to gather in person in January.

Among the agenda items for Wednesday’s initial meeting were completion of a survey on core issues and barriers, as well as setting expectation for collaboration and engagement. The next meeting is scheduled for January.

NCDPS Secretary Eddie M. Buffaloe, Jr. made the selections, which includes representatives from law enforcement., public health, social services and other disciplines. The board will serve as a centralized strategic resource connecting the growing number of programs working across law enforcement, public health, social services and other disciplines to reduce violence and firearm misuse in N.C. communities.

Brame told WIZS News that the purpose is to “get more resources in rural areas” to reduce crime and violence, as well as firearm misuse in communities all across the state.

As part of the executive order establishing the N.C. Office of Violence Prevention, the Community Violence Advisory Board is a specialized body formed to provide expert guidance and strategic advice. It plays a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness of violence prevention programs across the state.

“Across our state, organizations are digging in and doing the work to reduce violence in their local communities,” said NCDPS Deputy Secretary Caroline Valand, who leads partnership engagement for the agency. “This board will bring these leaders together in a discussion that will help to elevate all of our individual efforts.”

“Violence prevention requires a connection between organizations that may not traditionally work together,” said Gerard Tate, executive director of the Office of Violence Prevention. “My team is pleased to be hosting this first conversation, and we are looking forward to building a centralized repository of resources that support all stakeholders working on violence prevention.”