Vance County Sheriff's Office

Case of Female’s Body Near I-85 North and Flemingtown Road Being Investigated as Homicide

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Update 3:45 p.m. Friday –

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame issued a press release Friday afternoon, and it indicates a description of a possible suspect and vehicle and interagency cooperation have led to a suspect being in custody.

The press release indicates the victim in the case is Cierra Jackson of Richmond, VA.

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office responded to the I-85 exit ramp Thursday afternoon at 3:26.  A female was observed laying on the roadside, and it was believed she had been stabbed.

Additional investigation has revealed the victim, Jackson, suffered numerous gunshot wounds to the body.  EMS pronounced her deceased at the scene.

The suspect has been identified as Tikeise Kenshaun Johnson, black male age 20, of Richmond.  Sheriff Brame’s press release said, “Johnson is being held in Dinwiddie, Virginia without bond and has several charges pending in Virginia. Johnson will be charged in Vance County with 1st Degree Murder.”

Vance deputies on scene took a description of a possible suspect and vehicle, which led to a “Be On The Lookout” throughout North Carolina and Virginia.

Brame said in the press release, “Virginia Law Enforcement apprehended the possible suspect in an unrelated incident in Dinwiddie, Virginia. With the information received in the BOLO, Dinwiddie officials made contact with Vance County in reference to this being a possible suspect in (the) homicide.”

Additional details remain under investigation.

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Update 10:50 p.m. Thursday –

According to a press release from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame, deputies received a call about 3:25 p.m. Thursday regarding a black female at the I-85 northbound exit 220.  The press release indicates that deputies were advised before arriving that the victim had possibly been stabbed.

Brame said in the press release, “Upon law enforcement’s arrival, the female had apparent injuries to her left leg and neck area. CPR was initiated. She was pronounced deceased on scene by EMS.”

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations has been called to assist with the investigation, and the investigation is ongoing at the time of this publication.

More information will be provided when it is available.

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Golden Leaf changes approved for Open Grants Program

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– courtesy of Golden Leaf and goldenleaf.org –

The Golden LEAF Foundation Board of Directors approved changes to the Open Grants Program at its June 2021 meeting, guided by the recently adopted strategic plan. Historically, the Open Grants Program has awarded $200,000 or less in funding for projects. While most applications will continue to be for $200,000 or less, the Board approved funding for up to $500,000 for projects that meet certain additional criteria.

The Golden LEAF Foundation is committed to using the funds entrusted to it for projects that show the most potential for strengthening North Carolina’s economy, especially in tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and/or rural communities. The Open Grants Program allows eligible applicants to apply for Golden LEAF funding throughout the year. The Open Grants Program is for economic development projects aligned with Golden LEAF priority areas.

For projects that possess some additional characteristics, Golden LEAF may make awards of up to $500,000 from this program. To determine which projects will be eligible for consideration for an award of more than $200,000, Golden LEAF requires that the project include one or more of these characteristics:

  • Higher level of funding will lead to significant outcomes
  • Result of a planning process involving multiple organizations and members of the community
  • Building on a history of success that allows a project to scale and significantly increase outcomes
  • Funding will enable or encourage compelling collaboration, including uncommon or innovative approaches or organizations in more than one county
  • Funding will leverage significant funding from other organizations
  • Applicant has limited resources
  • The project cannot be implemented in phases without compromising its outcomes

Applicants who wish to apply for more than $200,000 in funding from the Open Grants Program must complete a required consultation with Golden LEAF staff.

More information is available on the website at goldenleaf.org on how Golden LEAF evaluates Open Grants Program proposals, including detailed characteristics of exceptional projects.

The Golden LEAF Foundation, headquartered in Rocky Mounty, was established in 1999 to administer a portion of the tobacco settlement agreement monies back into North Carolina’s rural and economically distressed communities. For almost 20 years, the nonprofit has partnered with state and local governments and other foundations to build economic opportunity across North Carolina through leadership in grantmaking, collaboration, innovation, and stewardship as an independent and perpetual foundation.

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VGCC, myFutureNC, Belk Endowment Work Together To Support Adult Learners

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Vance-Granville Community College, John M. Belk Endowment, and myFutureNC are working together to better address the needs of local employers and adult students

Dr. Rachel Desmarais, President of Vance-Granville Community College called on adults across the region to visit BetterSkillsBetterJobs.com as a first step to gain the skills they need to secure the jobs they want.

“After a year of challenges like no other, we know many adults are examining their work situations and even considering career changes,” said Desmarais. “So we are making an extra push this summer to connect adults to a variety of fast, flexible, and affordable programs at VGCC which lead to current open jobs in our communities.”

“From biomanufacturing to warehousing, mechatronics to supply chain and logistics, emergency medical training to truck driving certificates, and many more, our courses are a direct pipeline to many of our region’s top employers,” Desmarais said. “That’s why we hope everyone will visit BetterSkillsBetterJobs.com today to quickly connect with us and explore all of the opportunities we offer that can lead to better skills, a better job, a bigger paycheck, and an even brighter future.”

Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) is the local source for higher education and training in Vance, Granville, Franklin, and Warren counties with four attractive campuses, one in each county. Established in 1969, VGCC offers more than 40 curriculum programs, in which students work toward certificates, diplomas and degrees. Area residents and businesses can also take advantage of a variety of Continuing Education opportunities, as well as the High School Equivalency and Adult High School Diploma programs.

For more information about Vance-Granville Community College’s Better Skills. Better Jobs. Initiative, please visit: BetterSkillsBetterJobs.com/VGCC/

Vance County Sheriff's Office

Vance Co. Sheriff’s Office Investigates Homicide

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On June 11th, 2021 around 4pm, 911 Central dispatched the Vance County Sheriff’s Office deputies to 519 Fields Ave. in Henderson to check on a resident’s welfare.

Upon arrival, the family member that called 911 met the deputies. The deputies, along with the family member, approached the residence to check on the occupant. No one answered the knock on the door or responded when deputies called out.

Upon entering the residence, deputies detected a pungent odor.  Moving further into the residence, deputies discovered a body that was later identified as Hiawatha Nicholson, a black male, age 73.

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office along with the State Bureau of Investigations are investigating the death of Mr. Nicholson as a homicide.

Please contact the Vance Co. Sheriff’s Office with any information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspects in the death of Mr. Nicholson.  The Vance Co. Sheriff’s Office may be reached at 252-738-2200

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Construction Of New Park Set To Begin Where Vance Hotel Once Stood

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Plans for construction of a park near downtown Henderson have been in the works for a couple of years, but Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon said this week that materials have been delivered and a ground-breaking ceremony will be held “in the near future.”

Among the features are a skate park and bike park, a splash pad and outdoor exercise and fitness stations, as well as a picnic shelter and walking trail. Blackmon said the park will be constructed in phases, unless some state grant funding comes through.

“We are a finalist for a state PARTF grant,” Blackmon told WIZS News. If the matching grant is awarded, the project could be completed in its entirety, he noted. PARTF stands for Parks and Recreation Trust Fund.

“Materials for the Williams/Montgomery park were delivered last week. Preparation should begin within the next couple of weeks with grading of the property,” Blackmon said.

A representative from the state recreation commission made a pre-award site visit recently in advance of its August meeting. “Staff is hopeful the city will receive a grant that will allow for the development of the entire park rather than having to phase the park,” Blackmon said.

The proposed site of the park is at the corner of Williams Street and Montgomery Street, where the former Vance Hotel stood. The hotel burned in the 1980’s and the property has remained empty since then.

The Local Skinny! Home And Garden Show With Wayne Rowland And Paul McKenzie

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WIZS, Your Community Voice.  Thank you for listening! 

The Local Skinny! each Wednesday on WIZS is the Vance County Cooperative Extension Service Home and Garden Show.

 

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TownTalk: Elmwood Area Eyed for Redevelopment

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For complete details and audio click play.

The city’s re-established Redevelopment Commission is holding a listening session Thursday, July 22 at 6 p.m. to hear from the community about plans for making upgrades to an area known to city officials as the Elmwood Urban Redevelopment Area (URA).

This listening session, which will be held in Perry Memorial Library’s Farm Bureau room, is part of the overall process, according to Assistant City Manager Paylor Spruill. The library is located at 205 Breckenridge St. The redevelopment committee members “need to hear what the public believes are the important issues for redevelopment, especially in that area,” Spruill told John C. Rose on Tuesday’s Town Talk. He and Council Member Garry Daeke spoke about short-term plans and long-term dreams that just may become reality for Henderson in the next few years.

The Elmwood URA consists of about 200 acres that include both sides of Burwell Avenue, Chestnut Street all the way to Andrews Avenue and almost to Beckford Drive, including Elmwood Cemetery, Spruill said. The city is getting guidance and support from the UNC School of Government’s Development Finance Initiative as it continues to refine a detailed plan for redevelopment for the area.

Residents are invited to complete a survey in advance of Thursday’s meeting. Find the link to the survey at https://ci.henderson.nc.us/government/boards/redevelopment_commission.php as well as more information about the URA process. The meeting is open to the public. The Zoom link is https://unc.zoom.us/j/96903327572 or call toll-free
(855) 880-1246 to listen by phone. The meeting ID is 969 0332 7572.

Daeke said the city has done a good job in the past few years of removing homes that are dilapidated or otherwise substandard. The removal of those structures leaves vacant properties that can now be built on again. The city has been able to accumulate a fund balance that can be used to create affordable housing and direct money to make improvements in neighborhoods. “It will give us the ability and the authority to make wholesale changes in these neighborhoods,” he said, including sidewalks and parks – all of which contributes to increased property values that benefit the immediate area and the city.

Spruill said that Henderson needs 3,000 units of affordable housing now, according to a study that the UNC DFI conducted. And that doesn’t include other types of housing that would be expected for a community the size of Henderson to have, he added. The housing boom that the Raleigh-Durham and Chapel Hill areas have been experiencing for a while is creating a ripple effect that reaches to this area, Spruill noted. People can’t afford those hot housing markets, so they are “beginning to look here to find a place they can afford and where they want to live.” With the redevelopment plan as a guide, we can reach out to the development community, partner with them to make that happen, he added.

The city council has funded another DFI study to look at the Flint Hill community. Continued support, guidance and recommendations from this group helps municipalities like Henderson interpret state regulations and guides them through the necessary steps before recommending a workable plan. “I’m glad to have them here,” Spruill said of the UNC DFI team. “They’ve been a great help.” Once the redevelopment commission completes its work, the plan will go to the planning commission before taking its final form for presentation to the city council for adoption.

Between redevelopment plans and additional talk about placement of a train station for proposed rail service – both commuter and high-speed trains – Henderson is in a good place for improvements.

Daeke said the city council, along with city staff, have been laying the groundwork over the past few years to support the upgrades and said several things, including this redevelopment project, are finally coming together – now it’s time to put the funds behind them to make them happen. “I’m very proud to be a resident of Henderson most of my life,” Daeke said, and predicted that, 10 years from now, the community will be looking back proudly at the work being considered now.