TownTalk: Blessed Hope Celebrates 40 Years

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Forty years ago, the space shuttle Discovery had its first launch, Apple had introduced a new-fangled computer called the Macintosh, and the Rev. Donald A. Perkinson held the first official meeting of Blessed Hope Baptist Church.

Fast-forward 40 years and now private companies are blasting tourists into space and a cell phone that fits conveniently in a pocket is vastly more powerful than that clunky desktop computer. My, how some things change.

That initial gathering of 10 people in the living room of Perkinson’s cousin’s living room has blossomed into a vibrant congregation located on Dabney Road.

They celebrated Founder’s Day on Sunday at Blessed Hope, and in his message to the congregation and friends gathered, Perkinson said he continues to do all to the glory of God. “I give him all the glory and honor,” he said.

Those references to current events of 1984 were made by Clem Seifert, who also happens to be Perkinson’s son-in-law. Seifert spoke during the Sunday service and said some things in our lives are meant to change, but some things remain the same.

The people in the pews may change over the years, but “the Word of God never changes,” he said, adding that Perkinson and the people of Blessed Hope continue to do the work just as Paul instructed in his letter to Timothy.

Perkinson said he accompanied his father to a rest home to minister to its residents, and he believes it was then that he got that first nudge from God. Later, when he was teaching a Sunday School class for young married couples that he learned about expository preaching.

He moved his young family to Texas while he studied to be a preacher and came back home to Henderson in 1983, but he just couldn’t find the right church fit.

That’s when he felt he heard God say to him, “Why don’t you do what I’ve called you to do?” Perkinson recalled.

That was Feb. 5, 1984 – the day that would become Founder’s Day for Blessed Hope. That very morning, Perkinson held the first service in his cousin’s living room. Forty years later, some things have changed, but the message remains the same.

Listen to more of Perkinson’s and Seifert’s remarks at www.wizs.com and tune in to WIZS on Sundays at 5 p.m. 

 

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VGCC President Rachel Desmarais Among TBJ ‘2024 Women In Business’ Honorees

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Vance-Granville Community College President Dr. Rachel Desmarais was recently recognized by the Triangle Business Journal as a recipient of its 2024 Women in Business Awards.

Desmarais’s inclusion in the 2024 Women in Business Awards underscores her commitment to supporting local communities and economies through a highly skilled workforce, according to a press release from VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel.

During the 2020-2021 academic year, Desmarais took the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Pledge through the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship, which included specific action steps to advance entrepreneurship and create jobs across the country. The college was so successful in these initiatives that NACCE named it the Entrepreneurial College of the Year in October 2022.

In late 2023, VGCC launched the AdvanceNC partnership. Described as “an innovative workforce development ecosystem developing a robust talent pipeline to support unprecedented economic growth,” the AdvanceNC initiative is made up of 10 community colleges, two state universities and six regional workforce development boards which collaborate to meet the industry needs of major international companies operating in the state.

For nearly three decades, the Women in Business Awards have celebrated women in the Triangle region who are dynamic and outstanding leaders, with established track records of significant accomplishments in business and community service. Triangle Business Journal honored a total of 25 winners this year.

Vance County Sheriff’s Office Serves Suspect in Court

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Press Release:

On February 1, 2024, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office patrol division responded to the Vance County District Court to serve Daniel Claude Raines, 26, of Henderson with outstanding warrants from Vance County Sheriff’s Office.

Mr. Raines was served with one count of breaking and entering, larceny after breaking/enter and obtaining property by false pretense.

Mr. Raines received a $60,000 secured bond and was given a court date of 03/01/2024. Mr. Raines was placed in the Vance County Detention Center.

Outstanding Warrants Served; Additional Charges Obtained

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Press Release:

On Wednesday, January 31, 2024 members of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office narcotics unit served several outstanding felony and misdemeanor warrants for probation violation on Dylan Levi Vaughn, age 28 of Lemay Lane. During the investigation, additional charges for possession of heroin and cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resist, obstruct and delay were subsequently obtained. Vaughn is currently in the Vance County Jail with no bond.

Mike Waters

The Local Skinny! Waters Announces Life Sentence For Oakes

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– information courtesy of Vance County District Attorney Mike Waters

A Vance County man will spend the rest of his life in prison after a jury found him guilty last week of first-degree murder, according to a press release from the office of District Attorney Mike Waters.

On Thursday, Feb. 1, in Vance County Criminal Superior Court, Jarred Robert Oakes was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, following his conviction of first-degree murder of his mother, Geraldine Oakes.

Oakes is the oldest son of Geraldine Oakes, who was found unresponsive in the family home on Friendly Lane on May 24, 2017. At the time, investigators found evidence that the victim had been strangled. During the trial, the jury heard testimony from law enforcement officers, lay persons and expert witnesses.

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Mental Health, Substance Abuse Forum Set For Feb. 20 At First Baptist, Butner

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N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon is hosting the third in a series of forums on mental health and substance use on Tuesday, Feb. 20 in Butner.

The community is invited at attend the gathering, which will be held at First Baptist Church in Butner from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., according to information from GVPH Director Lisa Harrison.

“We hope that all those in the community who personally experience or have a loved one who experiences mental illness or substance abuse can attend,” Harrison said.

GVPH and other organizations in the area will be present to discuss services available to those in need of help.

A 2021 Community Assessment conducted by the health department showed that more than 40 percent of Vance County residents and 36 percent of Granville County residents have a friend or family members affected by the use of painkillers, opioids or heroin.

Mental illness is especially prevalent among youth. In North Carolina, 1 in 5 adolescents have seriously considered attempting suicide, and 1 in 10 have made a suicide attempt. Unfortunately, rates of both mental illness and substance misuse continue to climb in our community, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, Harrison noted.

Expert panels will address Youth Mental Health as well as Substance Use and Addiction. Topics will include suicide prevention, intellectual and developmental disabilities, crisis events, anxiety management, substance use disorder and recovery, depression treatment, addiction recovery, and primary care services. Service providers will have booths for participants to learn more about

treatment resources and critical access points for treatment. Booths will include providers that specialize in medications for Opioid Use Disorder (e.g., Buprenorphine, Methadone), individual and family counseling, medication management, crisis management, intensive outpatient services, and residential treatment.

Dabney Drive

NCDOT Sets Feb. 13 Meeting To Discuss Plans For Dabney Drive’s Future

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Area residents are invited to a public meeting with the N.C. Department
of Transportation to discuss the proposal to upgrade Dabney Drive from
Coble Boulevard to U.S. Hwy. 158 Business in Vance County. The revisions
include a roundabout at the intersection with Dorsey Avenue.

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at E.
M. Rollins Elementary School, 1600 S. Garnett St. Extension, in Henderson.

 

Chief Barrow Credits Collaboration With Arrest Of Suspect Wanted In Local Abuse Case

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A man wanted in connection with allegations of abuse in Henderson has been arrested in Wake County after a collaboration with the Wake County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Team.

Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow said his members of the department’s criminal investigations section has been working on a case since October 2023 of a report of child sexual abuse.

Rayshon Treadwell, 41, was charged with 28 counts of statutory sex offense with a child by an adult. The incidents occurred between July 2021 and October 2023, Barrow stated. The defendant was in a parental relationship with the minor, he added.

During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Treadwell had ties to Wake County and Barrow said his detectives contact the Wake County Sheriff’s Office for assistance in locating Treadwell.

Wake County deputies located Treadwell shortly before 5 p.m. in Wendell on Tuesday, Jan. 30 and attempted to stop the car he was driving, but a chase ensued. At one point, he jumped from the car and ran away, but officers were able to apprehend him.

Barrow expressed his thanks to the Wake County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this matter.

According to WRAL News, Treadwell faces the following charges:

  • statutory sex offense with a child by an adult
  • solicitation of prostitution
  • resisting public officer
  • communicating threats (out of Warren County)
  • flee/elude arrest
  • driving with a revoked license
  • possession of an open container in the passenger area
  • speeding
  • reckless driving to endanger

 

TownTalk: Feb. 8 Is ‘Healthy Heart Day’ At Maria Parham Health

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As part of National Heart Month, Maria Parham Health is offering several different opportunities during February for folks to check their heart health and learn ways to prevent or reduce their risk of heart disease.

Vance County incidence of cardiovascular disease exceeds both the state and national averages, and it’s important to be informed about risk factors to heart health. Cardiovascular disease includes heart disease and stroke.

Want to know your risk for heart disease? With a few clicks on the hospital’s webpage, you’ll find a short assessment that rates your risk. Visit www.mariaparham.com, click the Services tab and then on Cardiology and you’ll find the link.

National Wear Red Day is Friday, Feb. 2, – that’s tomorrow! – and hospital employees are going to be “turning it red” to promote heart health awareness, especially among women, said Lisa McGhee, a registered nurse who also is director of cardiovascular services at Maria Parham.

Then, on Thursday, Feb. 8, the community is invited to take part in Healthy Heart Day from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the hospital lobby.

McGhee said there will be blood pressure and pulse ox screenings offered as part of the Feb. 8 event; exercise physiologists and dietitians will be available to discuss healthy lifestyle choices and EMS professionals who will demonstrate hands-only CPR techniques.

“We’ve had a good turnout over the past years,” McGhee said. “We’ve had people who returned and said they had some sort of health issue, and they knew what to do and knew what the next steps should be because they’d been to one of these events.”

This community event is a good time to come out and ask questions, McGhee said. “That’s always our goal – to help guide (people) in the right direction to services,” she added. “It’s easier to do before it becomes an emergency.”

Some of the symptoms to look for include physical pain – chest pain or pain that radiates to the arm, jaw, back. Other symptoms, however, include extreme fatigue, dizziness, nausea or vomiting.

Sometimes, McGhee said, women may experience more subtle symptoms that are vague and harder to define, including fatigue, lack of energy and pain not necessarily associated with chest pain.

High blood pressure can have an adverse effect on heart health, too, McGhee said.

“High blood pressure that’s not controlled is a risk factor…blood pressure is one of those silent killers – sometimes there’s no other indications there’s a problem until it’s too late,” she said.

Sometimes, medication will do the trick, but if patients need more involved treatment, Maria Parham has a state-of-the-art heart catherization lab that opened in 2020.

Cardiologists complete a variety of procedures, including catheterizations to angioplasty and stent placement.

McGhee said the hospital’s chest pain program is an accredited program that helps health care professionals provide a variety of diagnostic tests like echocardiograms, wearable heart monitors and 24-hour blood pressure monitoring to help patients experiencing possible cardiac problems.

Visit www.mariaparham.com to find a complete list of programs and services.

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