YMCA

The Local Skinny! West End Community Watch Hears Latest YMCA Plans

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Paul Ross, director of the Henderson Family YMCA, spoke to the West End Community Watch and shared expansion plans for what is shaping up to be a bright future for the Ruin Creek Road facility.

Henderson is the smallest city in the state to have a full-service YMCA, Ross told the group at the monthly meeting. The Y now owns 10 acres, having purchased the former county-owned Department of Social Services building, thanks to a generous $1 million donation from Dr. Khanh Vu and wife Elmira Choopani.

Plans are underway to create a “new and improved Y,” which include enlarging the walking track and playing field and building a new swimming pool.

Ross said the old DSS building will be torn down, but when the work is completed, the Y will either have a new or an updated Wellness Building. Ross said the plan is to be able to remain open during all the construction.

About 4,000 members currently enjoy all the programs and benefits the Y offers, but Ross said he projects that number will double once the new Y is finished.

The Y offers a wide variety of activities and classes, including diabetes prevention,drowning prevention for every second-grader in the county, pickle ball, lap swimming, water aerobics and other water activities, Silver Sneakers’ classes, child care, after-school program, a summer youth program as well as access to exercise equipment.
Want to learn more about membership in the Henderson Family YMCA? Simply stop in and discuss different options, including a variety of financial plans. Or visit the website, https://www.hendersonymca.org/

Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon is scheduled to speak at the April 18 meeting of West End Community Watch. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall of West End Baptist Church.

 

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Eaton Street Search Warrant Yields Three Drug Arrests, One with $250K Bond

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— Press Release Information from Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow

On March 22, 2023 officers of the Henderson Police Department served a search warrant at 716 Eaton St. in response to a drug complaint.

Approximately 350 dosage units of heroin, 942 grams of marijuana, 30.5 grams of cocaine, drug manufacturing equipment, $8,591.00 in cash, and one semi-automatic pistol were seized.

Richard Durham (20) along with Quamoria Davis (25) and Kermaine Hargrove (26) were arrested in relation to this investigation.

Durham was charged with one count of Possession of a Firearm by Felon, two counts of Trafficking Heroin, one count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and Deliver Heroin, one count of Manufacturing Heroin, one count of Trafficking Cocaine, one count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, Deliver Cocaine, one count of Manufacturing Cocaine, one count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, Deliver Marijuana, Felony Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Richard Durham

Durham received a $250,000.00 secured bond.

Durham’s bond was increased to $340,000 secured after his first initial court appearance. Durham is currently on Federal Probation for prior drug-related charges.

Davis and Hargrove were both charged with one count of Simple Possession of Schedule II substance and one count of Possession of Marijuana up to ½ Ounce.

Davis and Hargrove both received a $1,000.00 secured bond by the magistrate.

Hargrove and Davis posted bond prior to transport to the Vance County Jail.

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Henderson Community Cleanup Day April 21

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Join the City of Henderson in a community-wide Cleanup Day on Friday, April 21.
It’s a great way for individuals, businesses and other groups to come together to spiff up city roadsides, neighborhoods and commercial spaces.
The cleanup event really proves the adage “many hands make light work,” and City Manager Terrell Blackmon said participants can request trash bags that the city will provide. Filled bags left in pre-designated areas will be picked up by city employees as well.
“This event will be a great opportunity for you to show your community pride and help to improve the appearance of our community, which also helps change the perception of how others view our city,” Blackmon stated.
This local event is timed to coincide with NC DOT’s “Litter Sweep” Program and to celebrate Earth Day.
Local business owners are encouraged to join in by picking up litter outside your business, or along any city or state road where your business is located.
For more information on how you can get involved, please contact Henderson City Clerk Tracey Kimbrell at 252-430-5705 or traceykimbrell@henderson.nc.gov.

Vietnam Vets Can Get An Official “Welcome Home” Mar. 29 At American Legion Post 60

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On March 29, 1973, the last U.S. combat troops left Vietnam, marking the end of this country’s involvement in a war that remains largely a reviled and divisive conflict for soldiers and civilians alike.

Now designated as National Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29 is a time to pay tribute to those military veterans who often didn’t get a hero’s welcome upon their return to U.S. soil.

Britany Wilson is spearheading an event Wednesday to help change that in some small way, so many years after the country brought its soldiers home.

“We want this to be a warm welcome home for the Vietnam veterans who are attending, regardless of how many,” Wilson  told WIZS News.

“Some of them may have never received a welcome home,” she added. The whole thing should last about an hour, and then everyone is invited to stay for lunch at the American Legion building, 110 E. Spring St.

Wilson said she’d love to hear from military veterans who plan to attend by Saturday, Mar. 25, but “all are welcome even if they show up on the day of,” she added. “No one will be turned away.”

By contacting her ahead of time, it will allow her to have enough certificates and pins representing the different branches of the military on hand.

Local American Legion Post 60 joins other posts across the nation to pay tribute to military veterans on this day.

Contact Wilson at 919.609.3403.

Upcoming Blood Drives – Sign Up To Donate And Get A $10 Gift Card

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There are several blood drives coming up in the area, and the American Red Cross is asking individuals to “spring” into action to donate life-saving blood, plasma and platelets.

As an extra incentive, all those who register for one of the upcoming drives will receive a $10 Visa prepaid card as well as a chance at winning a $3,000 Visa card, which five lucky donors in March will receive.

Blood and platelets remain at risk of running low, and donors are crucial to helping the Red Cross avoid a blood shortage in the weeks to come.

Donors of all blood types, especially type O donors and platelet donors, are encouraged to make and keep appointments to donate. Book a time to give by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

When donors lend an arm this month, the Red Cross will lend a hand. All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma during March will receive a $10 Visa® Prepaid Card by email. Plus, they’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a $3,000 Visa Prepaid Card – which could help toward expenses like gas or groceries. There will be five lucky winners. Details are available at rcblood.org/help.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities March 16-31:

Vance:

 

3/28/2023: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Kerr Lake Country Club, 600 Hedrick Rd.

3/30/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Raleigh Road Baptist Church, 3892 Raleigh Rd.

 

Granville:

 

3/24/2023: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Creedmoor United Methodist Church, 214 Park Ave., Creedmoor

 

Franklin:

 

3/28/2023: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Rock Spring Baptist Church, 34 Rock Springs Church Rd., Louisburg

3/31/2023: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., State Employees Credit Union, 28 Burke Blvd., Louisburg

 

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

 

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

The Local Skinny: The Importance Of Colorectal Screening

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Join a team of health professionals later this month for an educational “lunch and learn” to boost awareness about colorectal cancer.

Maria Parham Health invites the community to a lunchtime event next week to discuss the importance of getting screened for colorectal cancer, held in conjunction with National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

MPH Cancer Center Director Kimberly Smith and hospital social worker Hope Breedlove say the Lunch and Learn event on Tuesday, Mar. 28 will provide information in an informal setting.

Register to attend at https://www.mariaparham.com/events and then just show up at 12:30 for the hourlong program, which will be held in the classroom on the lower level of the hospital. Participants can either enter through the main hospital entrance or come through the cancer center entrance on the lower level. Call 252.438.1605 to learn more.

The program is a time “to sit down and talk about colorectal cancer,” Smith said. “What it looks like, how we prevent it, how we treat it if we need to.”

According to The American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States, excluding skin cancers. The cancer society estimates that in 2023, there will be 106,970 new cases of colon cancer, and 46,050 new cases of rectal cancer.

Breedlove said she is looking forward to sharing information about updated information about colonoscopies. “I’m really excited to be having this lunch and learn to get information out about screening guidelines,” she said. Early detection is key to successful outcomes with colorectal cancer, among so many other types of cancer.

A panel of Maria Parham health care providers will discuss the importance of early detection. The panelists include:

  • Ashley Traversa, MSN, AGPCNP-BC, RN, a Duke Cancer Network nurse practitioner specializing in neuro-oncology;
  • Colleen Truax, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, a family nurse practitioner specializing in gastrointestinal disorders;
  • Crystal Kaplan, MSN, RN, AGACNP is a Duke Cancer Network nurse practitioner specializing in hematology/oncology.

Contact Maria Parham Health at 800.424.DOCS or visit MariaParham.com to schedule your colonoscopy today. For more information about colorectal cancer, visit https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon.

 

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Henderson-Vance Chamber Accepting Nominations for 2022 Small Business Of The Year Through April 5

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The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the annual Small Business of the Year award through April 5. Visit www.hendersonvance.org or contact the Chamber at 252.438.8414 to ask for a nomination form.

There are several criteria to keep in mind when considering a local business to nominate, according to information from the Chamber’s Business Growth and Development Committee that oversees the annual awards program.

The business must be a member of the Chamber, be located within Vance County and have 50 or fewer employees, for starters. The business must be at least three years old and experiencing growth or stability during its operation and fills a void in the business community, perhaps providing a critical service or products or simply offering a unique approach to delivery of goods and services.

And finally, the business should be supportive of community growth and sustainability.

Governmental agencies, municipalities, schools and non-profits organizations are not eligible for nomination.

Additionally, there is space on the nomination form to note any extraordinary circumstances that the business may have overcome to remain in business.

Completed nomination forms should be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5 for consideration. Email forms to vanessa@hendersonvance.org or drop the form off at the Chamber office, 414. S. Garnett St., Henderson.