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VGCC Online ‘Holiday Mini-Term’ Classes Run Nov. 29 to Dec. 24

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Vance-Granville Community College is offering more than a dozen online classes as part of its Holiday Mini-Term. The deadline to pay for the classes is Wednesday, Nov. 23 at noon.

The mini-term will be sandwiched in between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve – Nov. 29-Dec. 24, according to information from VGCC.

Current students should speak with their academic advisor to learn more about the classes; new students should contact the admissions office at 252.738.3327 to get started with the enrollment process.

Following is a list of classes that will be offered:

  • College Transfer Success (ACA 122)
  • Introduction to Business (BUS 110)
  • Introduction to Computers (CIS 110)
  • Introduction to Criminal Justice (CJC 111)
  • Law Enforcement Operations (CJC 121)
  • Corrections (CJC 141)
  • Crisis Intervention (CJC225)
  • Personal Health/Wellness (HEA 110)
  • Critical Thinking (HUM 115)
  • Music Appreciation (MUS 110)
  • American Government (POL 120
  • General Psychology (PSY 150)
  • Introduction to Sociology (SOC 210)

Visit vgcc.edu to learn more.

(VGCC is an advertising client of WIZS.  This is not a paid ad.)

Butterfield Announces Retirement; Served 1st Congressional District For Almost 18 Years

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Congressman G.K.Butterfield, Jr. has announced that he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives next year, ending almost 18 years of service in Washington, DC.

Butterfield, a Democrat, has represented North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District since 2004. Most of Vance County and all of Warren County are included in the district.

In a video address announcing his retirement, Butterfield, 74, criticized the state legislature’s newly enacted district map that he called “partisan.”

“It is time for me to retire and allow the torch to be passed to someone who shares the values of the district and can continue the work that I’ve labored so hard for the past 18 years.”

He said he is proud of his work in Congress and said that although the country faces challenges, “I am confident that our best days are yet ahead.”

 Butterfield offered thanks to his family and his “competent and loyal” staff in Washington and in North Carolina for their continued support.

“To those of you who have helped me and encouraged me, I want to take this opportunity to thank you – thank each one of you – from the bottom of my heart.”

The Local Skinny! What’s Happening In Downtown Henderson

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If the city of Henderson were to write a letter to Santa this year, you can bet that increased downtown economic development would be somewhere on the Christmas wish list.

City officials heard an update from Downtown Development Director Tracy Madigan recently about what’s going on downtown, and it sounds like some of those wishes could be coming true.

The Thursday edition of The Local Skinny! ran down a list of openings and re-openings that are happening now in downtown Henderson.

  • For starters, holiday decorations are going up Friday evening, just in time for the Christmas parade that will take place on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m.
  • Did you know that a grocery store is planned for Horner Street? Madigan said she doesn’t have many details yet, but even a small retail grocery that neighbors can walk to would be welcome.
  • The Gear and Beer shop has opened
  • The former Screenmaster location is being converted to an all-inclusive office space.
  • Madigan told the council that the city will have to invest in new banners, because the brackets in place now on newly installed Duke utility poles won’t accommodate the existing banners.
  • The much-talked -about brewery in the former Falkner Coal and Oil building is making progress. Madigan said the owner is a “pay-as-you-go businessman,” so it could take a while to come to fruition.
  • Bombshell Nail and Spa has opened; the business has applied for a façade grant.
  • Citizens Pub, at the corner of Breckenridge and Garnett streets is set to reopen as an event center

In addition to the retail news, Madigan shared with council members several beautification projects in various stages of completion:

  • There are plantings outside McGregor Hall, courtesy of Franklin Bros. Nursery
  • Four more benches have been ordered for the downtown area and should arrive in the next month
  • Plans to have crosswalk art have been submitted to NC Department of Transportation for approval

Visit https://hendersonncdowntown.org/ to learn more.

 

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Farmers Market Site of Annual Holiday Market Saturday – Just In Time For Thanksgiving!

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The Vance Regional Farmers Market will host a handcrafted holiday market Saturday, Nov. 20. In addition to seasonal produce, dozens of vendors will be on site from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with unique gift items from soaps and candles to quilts and wood crafts.

Holiday ornaments and wreaths also will be available for purchase, according to market manager Pat Ayscue.

Just in time for the upcoming Thanksgiving, there will be baked goods and fresh turkeys available, as well as other food items like local honey and local pasture-raised pork and beef.

The NC State Master Gardeners of Vance and Warren counties will be in the Memorial Garden at the farmers market to provide advice on late-season gardening and preparing your garden for winter. There will be a silent auction for two rain barrels with the proceeds going to the Master Gardeners.

Charges Filed In Head-On Collision That Claimed Lives Of 2 Teens

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A Henderson woman has been charged in connection with a head-on collision that took the lives of two Vance County High School students last month, according to the Highway Patrol.

Jessica Johnson Burke was charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, driving left of center and driving with no operator’s license, according to an accident report filed by Trooper C.J. Oxendine. The accident occurred on the morning of Oct. 29 on Rock Mill Road, just south of the intersection with Vicksboro Road. Speed was not a factor in the crash, according to the accident report.

The report narrative states that a 2009 Hyundai driven by Miasia Coles of Henderson was traveling south on SR 1519 (Rock Mill Road) and crossed the center line into northbound traffic. Burke was driving a 2011 Nissan north on Rock Mill Road and crossed the center line into southbound traffic, which caused Coles to swerve back into the southbound lane and collide with Burke’s vehicle.

Coles and her brother, a passenger in the car, were killed in the accident. Burke and her two children who were passengers in the car, were all taken to Duke University Hospital with injuries.

Burke has a court date of Feb. 11, 2022.

Sheriff’s Office Files Murder Warrant In Connection With Oct. 30 Shooting Death In Williamsboro

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The Vance County Sheriff’s Office has announced that a first-degree murder warrant has been filed in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred late last month in Williamsboro, north of Henderson.

In a press statement issued Tuesday evening, Sheriff Curtis Brame said officials are looking for Tiara Zhane Seaward of 501 Red Clay Lane, Henderson. She is considered a suspect in connection with the shooting that took place on Oct. 30 at the intersection of N.C. 39 North and Thomas Road. Two people were shot, and Devonte Cheek of Henderson died of his injuries at Maria Parham Hospital. The second victim has not been identified as the investigation continues.

Cheek was exiting the passenger side of a motor vehicle to enter the Shell Service Station when unknown subjects opened fire from the intersection of Thomas Road and N.C. 39 North, according to the sheriff’s office.  A dark-colored sedan fled the area headed north on N.C. 39.

That vehicle has been identified as a black 2006 Honda Accord, with license plate JHA-4249. It most likely will have numerous bullet holes on the passenger side and rear area, according to information released by the sheriff’s office.

This incident is being investigated by the Vance County Sheriff’s office with the assistance of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.