TownTalk: Jail To Close For Repairs

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The 50-plus inmates of the Vance County Detention Center could find themselves in a different jail soon – at least temporarily – while contractors replace old doors to provide better security.

The Vance County Commissioners approved spending up to $90,000 to pay for the inmates’ stays at other facilities, but there’s one condition: Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame must get, in writing, confirmation from the contractor that the work can and will be done within a 30-day period.

During that 30-day window, the jail would be closed as far as housing inmates is concerned. Closing a jail sounds like a severe measure, but it is what needs to happen for  the repairs and installations to be completed.

Brame and longtime sheriff’s office employee Weldon Bullock were at the commissioners’ meeting Monday to make the request. They shared details of yet another example of unsafe conditions at the jail – an inmate lay unconscious for at least five minutes after being attacked in a fight over the weekend.

He was transported to Duke University Hospital and had surgery for a broken eye socket, Bullock reported during his remarks to the commissioners. He also stated that the doors are broken and can’t be secured properly. But physical conditions aside, Bullock said what really bothered him was that the inmate could have died. “The guy could have laid there and died – I don’t want somebody to get killed because we can’t lock the doors.”

The new doors have been purchased and are ready to be installed, to the tune of about $400,000. Once the sheriff gets written confirmation from the contractor that the work can be done within a 30-day period, the plan can proceed.

As chief law enforcement officer in the county, the sheriff is responsible for the hiring and firing of employees within the sheriff’s office, but salaries and other capital expenses are the responsibility of the county commissioners.

Brame has long said that the county needs a new jail and more staff to adequately cover the jail. The facility has gotten deficiencies on state inspection reports for various problems, from broken doors to non-functioning cameras and peeling paint.

A comprehensive feasibility study was initiated last year to evaluate the jail and to help county leaders decide whether to repair or replace the 30-year-old structure.

The Vance County Jail will close for thirty days to replace doors.

 

Downtown’s ‘Shamrocks On Breckenridge’ Offers Free Family Fun!

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This is a sponsored post.

Let’s turn downtown Henderson all shades of green for St. Patrick’s Day during the Shamrocks on Breckenridge next Friday evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

There will be plenty of music, entertainment, vendors and activities for the whole family, according to Amanda Walker Ellis, vice-chair of the Henderson Vance Downtown Development Commission.

Participants can use food vouchers to exchange for tasty treats during the event, Ellis said, thanks to the generosity of sponsors.

WIZS is pleased to join other event sponsors to make the event a success – Vance County Arts Council, North Carolina Arts Council, City of Henderson, Gateway Community Development Center and the Henderson Vance DDC.

A number of community agencies also will have information tables to share resources with participants, including AIM High: Purpose Driven Company, ACTS, Turning Point Community Development Mobile Lab., Gateway Comm Dev Center, Vance County Tourism and FGV Smart Start.

Vance County Recognizes Carl James, 2022 Employee of the Year

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Carl James of the maintenance department for Vance County is the County’s first employee of the year.

James was recognized in May of 2022 as the employee of the month.

“He’s always willing to help anyone and give advice and always has a positive attitude,” said Frankie Nobles, lead of the Employee Engagement Team for the County.

The employee of the year was selected from the employees of the month through 2022 based on a rating scale of 1 to 5, including such criteria as teamwork and attendance.

Nobles said James “gets the job done right the first time, does whatever it takes to get the job done.”

The announcement came at Monday’s Vance County Board of Commissioners meeting, and later this month there will be a reception for James including cake and the presentation of a plaque.

Congratulations to Carl James!

L-R: Frankie Nobles, Carl James, Yolanda Feimster – Board Chair

Rabies Alert

Rabid Bat Discovered in the 2100s Block of Warrenton Road

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Vance County Animal Services sent off a bat for testing March 6, and the test came back positive for rabies.

Frankie Nobles, chief of Vance County Animal Services, said his team responded to the call in the 2100s block of Warrenton Road.

In a press release, Nobles said, “At this time, animal services is asking (you) to please make sure that all cats and dogs are up to date on their rabies vaccine,” noting that even up-to-date animals in the area the bat was discovered should receive a booster.

The Vance County Animal Shelter offers the rabies vaccine for $5.00.

Hours of operation are: Monday from 12:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m; Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.; and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 12 Noon.

Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Upcoming Events At Perry Memorial Library

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When Melody Peters joined the staff of Perry Memorial Library back in July 2022, she was faced with the challenge of drawing teens back through the library doors. Story times are great for little ones, and older patrons were clamoring to return after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but teenagers?

What’s a youth services director to do?

So, she created a “Life Hack” series and a “Survival Skills” series.

If you’re just hearing this now at 5 p.m., you’ve still got a little time to race down to the library on Breckenridge St. to participate in a resume building session. NC Works and Vance-Granville Community College reps are on hand until about 6 p.m. to help understand the importance of resumes, and to walk through mock interviews.

The Survival Skills continues next week with a shirt-making session. Last time, the group – which Peters said included 6 guys and 4 girls – made themselves mittens out of fleece.

“I’m hoping that same group comes back – and brings some friends,” she told Bill Harris during Tuesday’s recurring library update on The Local Skinny!

Participants can either make a tank top or bring in a favorite shirt that may need some mending.

If the mitten-making workshop is any indication, the shirt workshop will be a success. “They seemed to be really enjoying the task,” Peters said of the mitten exercise.

“When you see it complete, you can feel proud of yourself,” she said.

Other upcoming events at the library geared for youth in the community include:

Saturday, Mar. 11

11 a.m. to 12 noon – FAFSA info session. Parents, bring your high school students who may be ready to complete the FAFSA document, an online document that colleges and universities use to determine financial aid eligibility.

“It can be overwhelming,” Peters said, “but you can do it.”

Tuesday, Mar. 21

4:30 p.m. Kids Connect

Local artist and Vance County Arts Council member Alice Clark will do art activities with the kids.

 

CLICK PLAY!

 

TownTalk: Vance County Republican Convention Coming Up

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Local Republican Party leaders are putting the finishing touches on plans for upcoming county conventions, that vital first step of electing delegates that will ultimately select delegates for upcoming state and national events in advance of the 2024 elections.

Jimmy Barrier chairs the Vance County GOP, which plans to have its county convention on Friday, Mar. 24 at Pool Rock Reception and Convention Center. He was joined by Mike Magnanti, vice-chair of the Granville GOP and David Woodson, Warren County GOP treasurer on Tuesday’s TownTalk with John C. Rose.

Granville County will host its county convention one day before the Vance County event – Thursday, Mar. 23 at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center. Doors open at 4:30, Magnanti said.

Warren County held its convention Saturday, Mar. 4, Woodson said. The GOP doesn’t have a large presence in Warren County, “but it’s growing,” Woodson reported.

“I’m excited about the momentum,” he said. “2024 will be here before you know it – we need to be ready.”

Political activity begins at the precinct levels in February, which leads to county conventions in March – that’s usually when the group elects officers and district delegates. The district and state conventions are held in June, followed by the national convention in July, Magnanti explained.

“It’s all about organizing the county, so that we can move forward to the state convention and the national convention,” he said.

As chairman, Barrier said his job is simple, but not always easy. “My job is to get candidates elected,” he said. He would like to see more Republicans throw their hats into the ring to run for local office.

“Come in and help us and show us what you want us to do,” he said, inviting the community to attend the upcoming Vance County convention. “It’s ‘us,’” he said. “It’s our party.”

Barrier said everyone is welcome to attend the Vance GOP convention, but only registered Republicans will be able to take part in any votes during the business portion; registration and credentialing begins at 5:30 p.m. and the business meeting begins at 7 p.m.

Scheduled to speak are State Sen. Lisa Stone Barnes and N.C. Rep Frank Sossamon.

Magnanti said State Treasurer Dale Folwell heads up a long list of speakers, including elected officials as well as other candidates running for office.

“This is a great meeting to…get to see what’s going on,” he said. “This is a great one to come to.”

The county conventions are certainly a time to conduct the business of the organization, but Woodson said, “it’s definitely a rally and it’s a community outreach.” Calling local conventions the grassroots of this nation’s political system, he continued by saying, “This is where it really all happens. “People are getting interested…they want to hear some answers and hear some options.”

Vance County GOP:

vancegop@gmail.com or find Vance County NC Republican Party on Facebook

Granville County GOP:

www.granvillegop.org or email info@granvillegop.org; find them on Facebook and Twitter

Warren County GOP:

warrennc.gop@gmail.com or find them on Facebook and Twitter.

 

 

Petco Provides $10k More for Vance Animals

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The Petco Foundation awarded Vance County Animal Services $10,000 in early March.

The Save Pet Lives Grant will be used for just that, lifesaving efforts of pets in Vance County.

Chief of Vance County Animal Services Frankie Nobles said in a press release, “These funds will help save lives of animals at the Vance County Animal Shelter as well as be used for spaying and neutering community pets.”

He indicated the grant money could also be used to pay unforeseen vet expenses for animals at the shelter.

This marks the second time a Petco Grant has been received in Vance County and is among a short list of organizations that have periodically awarded such grants here locally.

Petco recently opened a retail space in Vance County.

Search Warrant Leads to Drug Bust on Townsville Landing Road

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Information provided by the Office of Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame.

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant March 3 at the residence of Kelly Hemann, located at 358 Townsville Landing Road.

The warrant was served as the result of an ongoing investigation into illegal drug sales at the residence.

Members of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office located and seized Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Heroin, Marijuana and Hydrocodone.

Hemann, 52, was arrested for Trafficking Cocaine, Trafficking Methamphetamine, Trafficking Heroin, Possess with intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Heroin, Possess with intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Cocaine, Possess with intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Methamphetamine, Possess with intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance, Possess with intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Schedule VI Controlled Substance, Felony Possession of Marijuana and Maintain Dwell/Place For Controlled Substance.

She received a $300,000 secured bond and a court date of April 25, 2023.