Deal Advances on Southeast Rail Corridor

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, N.C. Department of Transportation

North Carolina has received good transportation news as an important agreement reached this week will advance plans to improve the Southeast’s freight and passenger rail network.

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation announced a major deal with CSX Thursday. Part of the deal will enable the N.C. Department of Transportation to acquire a 10-mile portion of an inactive freight line in North Carolina so the line can be converted for use on the Southeast Rail Corridor.

The Southeast Rail Corridor is a network of passenger and freight rail from Washington D.C. to Jacksonville, Fla. The rail runs through North Carolina roughly parallel to Interstate 85 and U.S. 1. The 10-mile section to be acquired runs from Ridgeway in Warren County to the North Carolina-Virginia border.

“This is a key step as we work to improve our rail system so we can move people and goods more efficiently between North Carolina and communities along the East Coast,” said Jason Orthner, director of the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Rail Division.

This week’s deal will also enable the construction of a new Virginia-owned Long Bridge across the Potomac River, and acquisition of more than 350 miles of railroad right-of-way.

The deal comes as officials with North Carolina and Virginia work together on a strategy to acquire both in-service and out-of-service rail lines for enhanced freight and passenger services. North Carolina Sen. Tom McInnis is chairman of the North Carolina delegation of the VA-NC Interstate High Speed Rail Compact and a chairman of state legislative transportation committees.

“This agreement takes us a big step forward in our efforts to better connect North Carolina communities,” McInnis said. “And it will offer new connections between our state and our neighbors, providing lasting economic development opportunities for our state.”

MPH: With Rising Suicide Rates, Behavioral Support Important for Mental Health

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-Information courtesy Maria Parham Health

The issue of suicide is a very difficult and concerning topic to address – and, unfortunately, it is on the rise. In fact, a recent survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows suicide rates increasing by 25 percent over nearly two decades through the end of 2016. Data from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention further underscores the importance and urgency of raising awareness of suicide, as suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S. – with nearly 45,000 Americans taking their own lives each year.

Recent suicide deaths of prominent fashion designer Kate Spade and celebrated chef and author Anthony Bourdain have exposed the critical fact that suicide does not discriminate and shined a brighter light on the role that mental illness plays in suicide. Approximately 90 percent of individuals who die from suicide suffer or have suffered from some form of mental illness.

Given this, it is critically important to be proactive about recognizing the warning signs of someone who may be contemplating suicide and identifying friends and loved ones who may be at risk. According to the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI), the most recognizable signs of potential suicide are:

Threats or comments about killing themselves, which can begin with seemingly harmless thoughts like, “I wish I wasn’t here” but become more bold and dangerous.

  • Increased alcohol and drug use;
  • Aggressive behavior;
  • Social withdrawal from friends, loved ones and the community;
  • Dramatic mood swings;
  • Talking, writing or thinking about death; and
  • Impulsive or reckless behavior;
  • A family history of suicide;
  • Substance abuse;
  • Access to firearms;
  • Serious or chronic medical illness;
  • Gender (more women attempt suicide than men, but men are four times more likely to die from their attempt);
  • A history of trauma or abuse;
  • Prolonged stress;
  • Isolation;
  • Age (those younger than 24 years old and older than 65 years old are at higher risk);
  • A recent tragedy or loss;
  • Agitation;
  • Sleep deprivation

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, any other form of mental illness or any of these signs and risk factors, it’s okay to seek help. There are behavioral health providers who can help whenever you need them. And the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, offers free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Maria Parham Health currently provides a range of geriatric (ages 55+) behavioral health support services, including prevention programs, individual therapy, group therapy, inpatient therapy, emergency/crisis intervention and is staffed by a highly trained team of providers, nurses and support staff.

A new adult behavioral health unit will be opening in 2020 and will serve adults ages 18 and older. To learn more about the services provided, 800.424.DOCS or visit https://www.mariaparhamfranklin.com/services/behavioral-health.

Victory Baptist to Host Gospel Night With The New Melodiares

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Mark your calendar for a night of gospel music with The New Melodiares at Victory Baptist Church on Saturday, January 11, 2020. Doors open at 3 p.m. and the program starts at 4 p.m.

Featuring MC: WARR’s own Melvin Palmer and John Reed, The Spiritual Entertainer of Oxford, God Community Praise of Warfield, God’s Praise of Louisburg, New Review of Henderson, Elder Jerry Perry & The Believers of Franklin, New Beginning of Chase City, VA, Dr. Andrew Yelverton of Richmond, VA, Amy Shearin of Clarksville, VA, Gospel Harmoneers of Warrenton, Gospel Rapper Keith Richardson and more.

Admission is free; refreshments and drinks will be available to purchase.

Victory Baptist is located at 235 Booth Avenue in Henderson.

Thomas Appliance in Downtown Henderson to Close Dec. 31

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy Thomas Appliance Sales and Service

Thomas Appliance Sales and Service in downtown Henderson has announced its plans to close the retail location on December 31, 2019.

Owner David Thomas and family thanked the community for their support in the following statement:

After 53 years of serving Henderson and surrounding areas, Thomas Appliance Sales and Service will be closing the retail store located at 101 S. Garnett Street on December 31, 2019.

This decision has not been an easy one for our family. It is hard to express how appreciative we are for all the wonderful customers we have served through the years. We will miss seeing you in the store.

David will continue providing service on appliances we have sold and others. You may contact him at (252) 492-3023 to schedule service appointments.

Beginning December 16, we will be offering discounts on all remaining inventory including washers, dryers, refrigerators, stoves and microwaves.

Again, thank you to all of our customers for your business and support over the past 53 years.

H-V Chamber Accepting Reservations for First WOVEN Event of 2020

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-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce and the VGCC Small Business Center welcome Roberta McCullough, executive director of the Women’s Business Center of NC to speak at the WOVEN (Women of Vance Empowered Networking) lunch and learn on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, at the VGCC Civic Center.

McCullough will present “Now That I Know,” discussing her experiences in non-profit/for-profit management as a woman and what she has learned from the experience. McCullough leads her team to empower women-owned/led businesses in 52 counties by offering tools to support and establish new businesses while generating sustainable profits and future growth.

The event begins at 12 p.m. and includes lunch.

The cost is $20 and registration is required by Tuesday, January 14, 2020. You do not have to be a Chamber member to attend, so bring a friend!

For more information and to RSVP, contact Sandra Wilkerson at sandra@hendersonvance.org.

U.S. Department of Justice

Eastern District of NC Collects Over $13M in Civil, Criminal Actions

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced today that the Eastern District of North Carolina collected $8,527,783.50 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2019. Of this amount, $6,362,993.33 was collected in criminal actions and $2,164,790.17 was collected in civil actions. 

One notable example of the office’s dogged pursuit of victim restitution is the case against Compassionate Home Care Services, Inc. and two other individual defendants. After a years-long investigation and civil prosecution of false claims submitted to Medicaid, the Court awarded the United States and the State of North Carolina a multimillion-dollar judgment.

Because of evidence developed during a thorough financial investigation, the Court restrained significant property early in the case to preserve it for collection. After the judgment was issued, the government used garnishments, executions, and other remedies to collect over $500,000 in short order.

Additionally, the Eastern District of North Carolina worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $134,460.79 in cases pursued jointly by these offices. Of this amount, $15,378.18 was collected in criminal actions and $119,082.61 was collected in civil actions.

“We will use every tool in our arsenal to aggressively collect victim restitution and criminal fines, and recover taxpayer dollars lost to fraud and owed to government agencies,” said Mr. Higdon. “We are proud of the men and women in our office who have worked so hard to ensure justice through their collection efforts. They are to be congratulated for their tremendously successful efforts.”

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss.

While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of North Carolina, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $4,478,580 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2019. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund can be used for a variety of purposes, including to support law enforcement.

In certain circumstances, they can also be used to restore funds to crime victims. The Department of Justice, for instance, restored at least 1.8 million in assets forfeited by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina in Fiscal Year 2019, which assets have been used to compensate the victims of crimes prosecuted by this office.

Mr. Higdon stated: “Asset forfeiture is an important tool in the fight against crime. The forfeiture of assets that facilitate crimes or which are the fruits of the crime deprives the criminals of the means and reasons for their criminal activity.  We will continue to aggressively pursue wrongdoers and their illegal assets as well.”

News 12/24/19

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Town Talk 12/23/19: Boyd Discusses Animal Society’s Doghouse Initiative

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Charles “Brandon” Boyd, president of the Boyd Foundation’s Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC (RCAPS), appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

Boyd discussed RCAPS’s new “I’m In The Doghouse” initiative that began Friday, December 20. Giving a new meaning to the phrase “being in the doghouse,” Boyd said the society will donate fifty brand new doghouses to the citizens and animals of Henderson and Vance County.

WIZS’ John Charles Rose (left) and Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society’s Charles “Brandon” Boyd (right) discuss RCAPS’s “I’m in the Doghouse” initiative on Monday’s Town Talk.

RCAPS is inviting the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, Henderson Police Department, City and County Fire Departments, EMS providers and State Highway Patrol to take part in this opportunity.

The premise is simple: when a dog is encountered that does not have sufficient housing for the cold winter months, an officer or official can give that animal or the animal’s owner a brand new doghouse provided by RCAPS free of charge.

“It’s a way of getting the community involved,” Boyd said. “I’ve always said the goal of a non-profit is to do one thing: make things better for everyone else.”

Any officer or official that gives a doghouse away is asked to simply take a picture (selfie) with the animal or the owners, if possible, and share it on their social media outlets captioning each picture, “I’m In The Doghouse” and “tagging” Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson NC on Facebook and Instagram.

In addition to providing adequate shelter to our four-legged friends, this initiative allows local law enforcement to be recognized for the good deeds they perform, said Boyd. It also brings attention to RCAPS’s mission to promote, advocate and educate the community on the importance of responsible pet ownership.

Doghouses can be picked up at the RCAPS office located at 165 US 158 Bypass, Henderson, NC 27536, or an RCAPS volunteer will bring the doghouse to the officer or official as needed.

As additional doghouses are needed, they will be made available through January.

On behalf of RCAPS, Boyd thanked Vance County Chief of Animal Control Frankie Nobles and staff for their hard work and dedication and invited the public to visit the “state-of-the-art” Vance County Animal Shelter located at 1243 Brodie Road in Henderson.

The shelter’s hours of operation are Mondays from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The shelter is closed on Fridays and Sundays.

Please visit Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson, NC’s Facebook page for additional information.

To hear the interview with Boyd in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

No Offers Made (So Far) on Nits Nats Music; 50 Year Business to Close Sat.

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Bill Harris, co-owner of Nits Nats Music in Henderson, has announced that the business that celebrated its 50th anniversary earlier this year will be closing its doors at the end of the day on Saturday, December 28, 2019.

Originally opened in downtown Oxford in 1969 by Phillip and Cheryl Hawkins, the business has called several locations in Oxford, Henderson and Louisburg home. For the past several years, Nits Nats has been located at 1680 Parham St. in Henderson, a part of the shopping center known as “Corbittville.”

Harris took to Nits Nats Facebook page on Sunday to offer the following statement:

It’s our last week. I want to wish all of our customers, past and present, a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Dec. 28th is our last day of operation.

So far, no one has stepped forward to buy the business and keep it going into its 51st year. If no one comes up this week, then that’s it.

It’s been a great run for the store. 50 years is a long time. My family has owned it for the last 14 years and it’s been fun. We were a true family business. I planned to run the place until the day I died but things change. John Lennon once sang “Life is what happens while you are making other plans,” and that has proven to be true. So ever onward.

We hope that we will get to see many of our friends, both old and new, during this last week of operation. My son will be handling the store for most of the week. I will be in and out as time permits. I will be in the store from 4 until 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve and all day on our last day, Saturday. We hope to see you!

And to quote Frank Zappa: “Music is the Best!”

Rebuilding Hope Announces Early Bird Deadline for 2020 Servants on Site

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-Information courtesy Rebuilding Hope, Inc. 

The Early Bird Deadline for registering for this year’s SOS is almost here. With registration and a $50 deposit, the cost per participant is $125. After Feb. 1, 2020, the cost is $150.

Contact us now to take advantage of the lower registration cost. We have 200 openings for youths who have completed sixth grade. Keep in mind that for every five youths, we require one adult of the same sex.

The deadline for registration for all participants is May 1.

The eighth annual SOS coordinated and hosted by RHI is set for June 20 – 27.

Encourage your youths to participate in this mission endeavor. If you know of any churches or youths you feel would be interested, call our office with contact information.

SOS is a week of work, worship and witnessing in Vance County and surrounding areas. Participants are housed at Kerr-Vance Academy. They work on homes in the area during the day, meet for worship in the evening and have a devotion time with their own church groups. Breakfast, supper and worship are at Central Baptist Church.

Adult/college-age volunteers are needed to serve as staff during the week. Staff assists with setting up rooms, posting signs and schedules and for chores such as cleaning bath and restroom facilities.

For more information, call the RHI office at (252) 438-5132.