John Williams Mug Shot

Suspect in Shooting of Female While on Release for Homicide Located, Arrested

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-Information courtesy the Henderson Police Department

Today, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office located and arrested John Williams without incident on outstanding warrants from their office, along with outstanding warrants from the Henderson Police Department.

On Friday, September 25, 2020, officers of the Henderson Police Department responded to the 200 block of Chavasse Avenue after receiving a call of a person being shot. When they arrived, they located Tracey L. Person (51) suffering from a single gunshot wound to the upper torso.

Person was transported to an area medical facility for treatment of her injuries.

She and a male friend had been walking in the area when a dark-colored vehicle pulled alongside them and an occupant fired a weapon. As a result of HPD’s investigation, it is believed the male walking with Person was the intended target of the assault.

Through the assistance of the public, the shooter was identified as John Williams, age 37, of Vance County.

Williams was on pre-trial release for a homicide that occurred in Vance County.

Williams is now in the Vance County Jail without bond due to these charges and his previous pretrial release conditions.

Local News Audio

Local Noon News 10/6/20

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Granville Vance Public Health’s Free Diabetes Program Begins Today

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame Discusses Passing of Former Sheriff Thomas Breedlove

VGCC is Offering Events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Click Play for Full Details and Local News Audio…

City of Henderson Logo

City of Henderson Issues Statement on Halloween Activities

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-Press Release, City of Henderson

COVID-19 has changed or influenced how we define our “normal” for 2020. As we enter the fall season and quickly approach Halloween, we should remain vigilant with our efforts to reduce the threat of COVID-19 in our community. The event of Halloween is known to bring an abundance of people into close contact, and many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses.

Due to the pandemic, this year the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services “strongly recommends” against traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating in favor of lower risk activities. Residents of Henderson are advised to consider NCDHHS’s Halloween event guidance when determining whether to participate in Halloween celebrations (https://files.nc.gov/covid/documents/guidance/NCDHHS-Interim-Guidance-for-Halloween.pdf).

There are several safer, alternative ways to participate in Halloween. Please be on the lookout for lowered risk alternatives within our community.

Celebrating virtually or with members of your own household poses a low risk for spreading the virus, while in-person gatherings pose varying levels of risk. When participating in any activity, participants should consider the risk of virus spread based upon the activity’s size and the host’s use of mitigation strategies. Remember the three W’s, Wear, Wait, and Wash.

Per the CDC, a costume mask (such as for Halloween) is not a substitute for a cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around the face. Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.

If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

GVPH COVID-19 Update as of 10/5/20

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

The following is an update for COVID-19 spread and response in Granville and Vance County as of October 5, 2020. Granville Vance Public Health numbers correlate with the NC Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NCEDSS) data.

The county case numbers reported on the NC county map from the NC Department of Health and Human Services may differ from the ones reported locally as they are updated at different times and may change once residence is verified.

Granville County

1,794 positive test results for COVID-19.

Of those 1,794, 1,132 are community-spread cases located across Granville County. Of those 1,132, 1,022 have been released from isolation.

Of those 1,794, 526 cases are affiliated with the prison system in Granville County and 494 of those 526 have been released from isolation.

Of those 1,794, 136 are associated with outbreaks at long-term care facilities including 30 at Murdoch Development Center, two at Central Regional Hospital, one at Brantwood Nursing and Rehab Center and 95 at Universal Health Care.

The outbreak at Granville House is no longer active. Of the 136 cases in long term care facilities in Granville County, 112 have been released from isolation.

11 individuals in Granville County are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 50 deaths in Granville County: five in the community, one associated with Central Regional Hospital, one associated with Murdoch Development Center, 21 associated with Universal Health Care and 22 associated with the Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Complex.

Vance County

1,051 positive test results for COVID-19.

Of those 1,051, 926 are community-spread cases located across Vance County. Of those 926, 804 have been released from isolation.

Of those 1,051, 125 are associated with outbreaks at congregate living facilities including 49 cases associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home.

The outbreaks at Alliance Rehabilitative Care, Senior Citizens Home and Pelican Health nursing home are no longer active.

Of the 125 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 96 have been released from isolation.

12 individuals in Vance County are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 45 deaths in Vance County: 14 associated with the Pelican Health nursing home outbreak, 12 associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, two associated with Senior Citizens Home and 17 in the community. Unfortunately, there has been another death in the community: a 72-year-old male passed away on October 3, 2020.

WIZS Note: There are 122 total known active cases in the Vance County community and 110 in the Granville County community at large at this time (excluding congregate living numbers). One additional COVID-19 related Vance County death and no additional Granville County deaths have been reported in the last seven days,.

Additional Information

The number of those who have been ‘released from isolation’ is determined by the CDC Guidance for discontinuation of isolation for persons with COVID-19.

Please visit GVPH’s COVID-19 Data Dashboard (click here) for tables and graphs that are updated daily.

Sheriff Thomas Breedlove

Vance Co. Sheriff Curtis Brame Reflects on Former Sheriff Thomas Breedlove

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Many in the community were saddened to hear the news that Robert Thomas Breedlove, sheriff of Vance County from 1990-2006, passed away on Sunday at the age of 86.

In a conversation with WIZS News, current Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame said he was saddened to hear of the passing of a man that he knew prior to their law enforcement days.

“I received a call from his son Tommy and daughter Lynne over the weekend,” said Brame. “I was shocked; I was hurt. He is going to be truly missed in this county.”

Sheriff Thomas Breedlove

From the WIZS’ Archive – L to R: Sheriff Thomas Breedlove, Tom Hannon of WIZS, Police Chief Glen Allen, John C. Rose in the early 2000s after a TownTalk episode.

Breedlove and Brame entered Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) together in 1983 and worked hand-in-hand until Breedlove’s retirement in 2006.

“He was an excellent sheriff, a people’s sheriff. He was all about rapport and bridge-building. People in this county loved him. He was just a great commander-in-chief, and as I understand it, a military man and good baseball player down in Middleburg in his younger years.”

Brame said he has fond memories of being invited to eat holiday dinners at Breedlove and wife Lib’s home as a young deputy. Elizabeth “Lib” Breedlove preceded her husband in death in 2016.

“We were always welcome in his home,” stated Brame. “That meant a lot to me being a young deputy – for the high sheriff to invite me into his home. I learned a lot from him. I take a lot of that, and I use it today. He will certainly be missed throughout the law enforcement community of Vance County.”

Thomas Breedlove

Robert Thomas Breedlove Sr., Former Vance County Sheriff, Dies at 86

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R. Thomas Breedlove, Sr. 

Robert Thomas Breedlove Sr., 86, of Henderson, NC died Sunday, October 4, 2020, at his home.

Born in Vance County, he was the son of the late Marvin Green Breedlove and Daisey Lowry Breedlove. He was the widower of Elizabeth Edwards Breedlove.

Mr. Breedlove was employed as a serviceman with the former Carolina Power & Light for sixteen years. He received his state electrical license in 1969. In 1977, he founded Breedlove Electric, Inc. In 1983, he became an Auxiliary Officer with the Vance County Sheriff’s Department until 1990.  

Robert Thomas Breedlove Sr., 86, of Henderson, NC died Sunday, October 4, 2020, at his home. (Photo courtesy Sossamon Funeral Home)

He was elected Sheriff of Vance County in 1990. He took office as sheriff on August 31, 1989, then he was re-elected in 1994, 1998 and again in 2002. 

Sheriff Breedlove was certified in Basic Law Enforcement Training, Police Science, Life Safety Issues for Jailers and School for Sheriff’s Deputies and Jailers.

He was awarded the Long Leaf Pine Award from then Gov. Mike Easley. 

Sheriff Breedlove received several special recognition awards including “Best Elected Official” in Vance County thirteen years by the readers of the Daily Dispatch; Special Recognition Award given by The Henderson-Vance Human Relation Commission in May of 2000; the Hero’s Award & Key Plaque to Camp E-ten Etu and the Community Partners of Hope Award.  

He was a member of Kiwanis International where he was past president, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and was a member of the American Legion where he was the Commander in 2004. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and a member of the First Baptist Church in Henderson.

His committees and memberships included Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers, Youth Opportunity Service Advisory Council, Drug and Crime Elimination Advisory Council, Criminal Intelligence Council, Emergency Management (Planning), Helping Hands, Governor’s Crime Commission, Kerr-Buggs Island Safety Council, Public Service Council, Criminal Justice Partnership Advisory Board, Law Enforcement Executive Council, Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Chamber of Commerce membership, Eckerd Wilderness Camp (Board Member), VWGV Criminal Justice Partnership Regional Advisory Board, 911 Advisory Board, Legislative Committee Member, (NC Sheriff’s Association) re-appointed in 2004-2005, Technical Review Committee (VC Planning Commission), Salvation Army Advisory Board, NC Sheriff’s Training and Standards Commission (appointed August 2003 and re-appointed in October of 2004), NC Sheriff’s Eastern-at-Large Representative in 2003, Criminal Justice Lay Advisory Committee (3-year term), Kiwanis Board of Directors, NCSA President’s Appointment (East), Criminal Justice/BLET Advisory Board.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, October 8, 2020, at 2 p.m. at South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church, conducted by the Rev. Frank Sossamon.

Surviving are one daughter, Lynne B. Pendergrass (David); one son, Robert Thomas “Tommy” Breedlove Jr. (Cynthia); one sister, Rachel Breedlove, one brother, Ralph Breedlove; one grandson, Robert Thomas “Tre” Breedlove (Lindsey); one great-grandson, Judson Breedlove; two step-granddaughters, Renee Faulkner and Stephanie Wright (Butch), two step-grandsons, David Pendergrass Jr. (Jennifer), Kenneth Pendergrass and a step-great granddaughter, Zoie Wilson.  

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Amy Elizabeth Breedlove; one sister, Peggy Dickerson and three brothers, Marvin Breedlove Jr., Glenn Breedlove and Ernest Breedlove.

The family will receive friends Thursday from 12:30-2 p.m. at South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church. All other times, they will be at his home.

Honorary pallbearers will be all present and former law enforcement officers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers – 901 Dorsey Ave., Henderson, NC 27536.

The family wishes to give a “Special Thank You” to his caregivers Jean M. Collins, Matthew Todd and Anna Davis.

We ask everyone who attends the visitation and memorial service to practice social distancing and wear an appropriate face covering.

Arrangements are by Sossamon Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.sossamonfuneralhome.com.

Faith Dove

‘Coach’ Joseph Stepusin, Jr. Remembered in Private Graveside Memorial Service

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“Coach” Joseph Stepusin, Jr., 86, of Oxford Road, died Monday, September 28, 2020, at Maria Parham Health.

He was a retired educator, having taught and coached in the Vance County School System. As a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, he sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, was president of the Council and a member of the Lutheran Laymen’s League.

A private graveside memorial service was held on October 3, 2020, by Pastor Corey Brooks at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Mozeik Stepusin of the home; a daughter, Susan Andrews and husband, Jay of Henderson; two sons, Joseph Stepusin, III of Oxford and Dale Stepusin of Henderson; four grandchildren, Alyssa Byrd, Shea Stepusin, Megan Andrews and Nicholas Andrews; two great-grandchildren, Charlie Byrd and Eleanor Byrd; a sister, Helen Stepusin of White Oak, PA; and a brother, Richard Stepusin of North Huntingdon, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 114 Poplar Mount Rd, Norlina, NC 27563.

Arrangements are by J.M. White Funeral Home.

Local News Audio

Local Noon News 10/5/20

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Passing of Former Vance County Sheriff Thomas Breedlove

Vance-Granville Community College – Domestic Violence Awareness Activities

Baptist Men of West End Baptist Church Holding 220 Seafood Fundraiser This Afternoon

Local COVID-19 Update

WIZS’ Domestic Violence Awareness Coverage on Town Talk

Click Play for Full Details and Local News Audio…

Diabetes Prevention Class

Register Now: GVPH’s Free Diabetes Prevention Program Begins Oct. 6

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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, affecting approximately 5,000 Granville County residents and 3,000 Vance County residents.

In response to these statistics, Granville Vance Public Health will continue its free Diabetes Prevention Program with a pre-diabetes screener and Diabetes Prevention class beginning Tuesday, October 6, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. The class is open to Granville and Vance County residents.

Classes will meet on Tuesdays from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. for one year. Participants must fall in the pre-diabetic category to qualify. Pre-diabetic status can be determined by a paper screener or by diagnosis/referral from a doctor.

The class will be held in the fellowship hall of Oxford United Methodist Church located at 105 W McClanahan St. in Oxford, NC. Participation will be limited to ten to ensure social distancing guidelines are met. Those who participate in-person will be spaced out and sit one to a table, tables will be wiped down prior to class, temperatures will be taken upon arrival and masks will be required.

For those uncomfortable with attending in person, a virtual option will be offered.

For more information on GVPH’s Diabetes Prevention Program or to register, please contact Diabetes Prevention Coordinator Ashton Johnson at (919) 690-2114 or ajohnson@gvdhd.org. Registration ends October 13, 2020.

NC State Board of Elections

State Board Reminds Voters Not to Photograph Their Ballots

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-Press Release, NC State Board of Elections

The State Board of Elections is reminding voters that North Carolina law prohibits taking photographs of or videotaping voted ballots. Please refer to N.C.G.S. § 163-166.3 for more information.

“Voters should not take a picture of their completed ballot, whether they vote in person or by mail,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections. “We respect voters showing their pride in casting a ballot but ask that they do so in another manner.”

The State Board has received multiple complaints of photographed absentee ballots and has been alerted to additional violations on social media in recent weeks. If a voter has taken a picture of their ballot and shared the photo online, the voter should delete the photograph.

When voting in person, voters may have phones or electronic devices with them as long as those devices are not used to photograph or videotape a ballot or communicate with anyone via voice, text, email or any other method.

Photographing a marked ballot is illegal in part because such photographs could be used as proof of a vote for a candidate in a vote-buying scheme. Electronic communication while voting is prohibited because of limits on voter assistance and to prevent disruptions in the voting enclosure.

Voters may bring voting guides, notes and other materials into the voting booth. They also may use electronic devices to access a slate card or candidate information, provided they don’t use the devices to communicate with anyone.