Henderson Fire Department Wrapping Up Annual Smoke Detector Campaign
Captain Lee Edmonds was the guest of honor on WIZS’ Tuesday edition of Town Talk to discuss the Henderson Fire Department’s annual smoke detector and battery inspection program.
Started in 2009 after a Vance County family lost several of their children to a house fire, Edmonds said the door-to-door home inspection program is “a good opportunity to check houses and check smoke detectors to make sure everything is working properly.”
The inspection, which begins anew each November following Fire Prevention Month in October, is free of charge to City of Henderson residents. “We put new batteries in smoke detectors, replace old smoke detectors and install smoke detectors in places that did not previously have them,” said Edmonds.
Edmonds estimated that the department has visited approximately seventy-five percent of homes in Henderson and hopes to wrap up the 2018 campaign by September. “Every year we visit approximately 6,000 homes and are allowed into approximately 1,500.”
Two fire trucks consisting of a team of 8-10 fire department personnel go door-to-door every Friday in an effort to reach as many homes as possible. “If you see our fire truck on your street or nearby on a Friday, chances are we’re just inspecting and installing smoke detectors,” Edmonds said.
Last year, fire department personnel were able to replace 97 smoke detectors and 119 batteries. This year, Edmonds reported 127 smoke detectors have already been replaced during the campaign.
“We aren’t able to get into all of the homes we visit because either people aren’t home or they say they regularly check their batteries and smoke detectors,” said Edmonds. “If they aren’t home, we leave a note on their door asking them to call us so we can come back out.”
Knowing that residents are often at work during the weekday, Edmonds said the fire department will come back after 5 p.m., on weekends or “whatever is best for the homeowner.”
In addition to being free of charge to homeowners, the smoke detectors and batteries are often free of charge to the fire department as well. According to Edmonds, many of the items have been donated over the years from various organizations, although 2018 has proven to be a challenge. “This year has been a bit of a tough year for donations. We had to spend some of our department funds on smoke detectors.”
Another challenge this year is the sky-rocketing number of fire-related deaths in North Carolina. Edmonds reported that 2018 has already been the deadliest year in recently recorded history. “In 2017, there were 79 fire-related deaths total in NC,” said Edmonds. “There have already been 94 fire-related deaths so far in 2018.”
Fire-related deaths are often attributed to a family’s unawareness of danger due to non-functioning or non-existent smoke detectors.
“Most deaths are the result of not having a working smoke detector in the home to alert the homeowner to a fire,” said Edmonds. “Many fires, especially in Henderson, are cooking-related – someone starts to cook something and then walks into another room and gets distracted or falls asleep.”
With the number of fire-related deaths climbing and the number of smoke detectors that either need new batteries or complete replacement, the Henderson Fire Department urges residents to check their detectors regularly and to allow fire department personnel inside their home during the annual door-to-door campaign.
With questions regarding your smoke detector, fire safety or to schedule a time for an inspection, please call the Henderson Fire Department at (252) 430-1877.
NCGA Passes Six Constitutional Amendments for Midterm Election Ballot
-Information courtesy the June 2018 newsletter of Rep. Terry E. Garrison (Dem)
The 2018 session of the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) convened on May 16 and adjourned on June 29, 2018. The General Assembly is scheduled to reconvene on November 27, 2018.
The NCGA passed the following six Constitutional Amendments, which will now be placed on the ballot for the upcoming midterm elections on November 6, 2018:
Strengthen Victim’s Rights
SB 551 amends the NC Constitution and expands the rights of crime victims to guarantee that victims receive the right to be treated with dignity and respect; reasonable, accurate, and timely notice; be present at any proceeding; be reasonably heard at certain proceedings; to receive restitution in a timely manner; to receive information upon request; to reasonably confer with the prosecutor.
SB 551 also directs the General Assembly to create a procedure for a victim to assert the rights provided.
This was the only amendment not vetoed by the Governor.
Bipartisan Ethics & Elections Enforcement
HB 913 amends the NC Constitution to remove the Governor’s authority to appoint members to the State Board of Elections and gives powers to Legislators to control those appointments. This bill also determines how those appointments are to be made: Four from the House with two nominations each from the majority and minority leaders and; four from the Senate with two nominations each from the majority and minority leaders.
Judicial District Changes
SB 814 amends the NC Constitution to change how judicial vacancies will be filled. Currently, when a judge leaves office before their term has ended, the Governor appoints a replacement to serve until the voters can fill the seat in the next election. This has been the law for decades through Democratic and Republican Governors.
The bill forms a Merit Commission to rate interested judicial candidates as “qualified” or “not qualified.” The Merit Commission then submits the list of candidates with the label of qualified or not qualified to the General Assembly. The General Assembly considers all candidates and narrows its selection to two persons. The two named persons are then sent to the Governor. If the Governor fails to make an appointment within 10 days after being presented with the candidates, the General Assembly shall elect in a joint session, an appointee to fill the vacancy.
Require Photo ID to Vote
HB 1092 amends the North Carolina Constitution to require every voter to show a photo ID. The details are left to legislators to figure out later.
This law may create hardships for North Carolina citizens who do not have such an ID. They are typically among our youngest, oldest, and poorest citizens. Further, the Voter ID requirement is likely to produce lower voter turnout.
North Carolina’s elections are already fair. There is no evidence of substantial voter ID fraud to justify the need for voter photo ID.
Income Tax Cap
SB 75 amends the North Carolina constitution to cap the tax rate on income for individuals and corporations. SB 75 would raise the previously proposed cap from 5.5 % to 7%. Currently, the constitutional cap is 10% for individuals and corporations.
The change will make it very difficult to pay for schools, healthcare, and other public services. The income tax is the biggest source of revenue for the state budget.
The bill will limit budget flexibility to pay for needed public services. It may also threaten our AAA bond rating. The AAA bond rating is important because it allows the state to borrow money at lower interest rates.
Protect Right to Hunt and Fish
SB 677 amends the NC constitution to merely reinforce a right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife. It will be submitted to the voters of the State at the mid-term election to be held on November 6, 2018.
Please note that a Constitutional Amendment on the ballot for the November 6, 2018, mid-term election will not become law unless approved by the voters.
VGCC Hosting Biotechnology Open House At Franklin Campus
-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Area residents interested in the field of Biotechnology are invited to Vance-Granville Community College’s Franklin Campus for an Open House on Monday, July 23, from 4 to 7 p.m.
The event is open to new applicants to the program as well as current students of VGCC. Stewart Lyon, program head for the Bioprocess Technology curriculum program, will discuss the options for students to earn a certificate or an associate’s degree, and members of the admissions and financial aid staff will be available to help students complete applications on site.
Above: Students work in the Bioprocess Tech lab at VGCC’s Franklin Campus, which will hold a Biotechnology Open House on July 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. (VGCC Photo)
“Vance-Granville prepares men and women for work in the growing biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and chemical manufacturing and distribution environments,” said Lyon. Graduates work as process technicians in biological products manufacturing facilities, with possible jobs including mixing chemicals to make cancer drugs, formulating medical and cosmetic creams and DNA testing kits.
“The certificate program is open to everyone, including students who would be currently enrolled in high school,” Lyon added. The certificate program can be completed with the BioWorks: Process Technician course through VGCC’s Continuing Education division and two curriculum courses, BIO 110 (Principles of Biology) and BPM 111 (Bioprocess Measurements).
In the two-year associate degree program, first-year courses include basics such as biology, chemistry, college algebra and computers, as well as industrial courses in bioprocessing, biochemistry and industrial environment. The first summer and subsequent semester of the program include a cooperative work experience in a local biotechnology company. The second year includes specialized courses in industrial bioprocessing, research and reporting and statistical quality control.
Evening and day course options are available, including online and hybrid opportunities. Visitors will be able to examine the state-of-the-art Biotechnology equipment that students use in the lab at Franklin Campus.
To register for the Open House, complete the form available on the college’s website at www.vgcc.edu/bio-open-house. For more information, contact Bioprocess Technology program head Stewart Lyon at (252) 738-3632 or lyons@vgcc.edu.
VGCC’s Franklin County Campus is located at 8100 NC Highway 56 in Louisburg.
‘Police and Community Together’ at Henderson/Vance Night Out Against Crime
-Press Release, Henderson Police Department – Marcus W. Barrow, Chief of Police
In cooperation with the “35th Annual National Night Out,” the Henderson/Vance Night Out Against Crime Committee and the Henderson Police Department will be hosting the Henderson/Vance Night Out Against Crime on Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson on August 7, 2018. The event is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. with set-up beginning at 3 p.m.
The introduction of National Night Out, “America’s Night Out Against Crime,” in 1984 began an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie, and to send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. NATW’s National Night Out program culminates annually on the first Tuesday of August (In Texas, the first Tuesday of October).
National Night Out now involves over 38.5 million people and 16,500 communities from all fifty states, U.S. Territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide.
The traditional “lights on” campaign and symbolic front porch vigils turned into a celebration across America with various events and activities including, but not limited to, block parties, cookouts, parades, visits from emergency personnel, rallies and marches, exhibits, youth events, safety demonstrations and seminars in an effort to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts, and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Events for this year’s Night Out include displays of law enforcement and public safety vehicles and equipment, informational booths for public safety and public health agencies and organizations, and children’s activities.
The Event Coordinator for the Henderson/Vance Night Out Against Crime 2018 is Community Services Sergeant Marti Stewart of the Henderson Police Department. Agencies and organizations involved in public safety and related fields interested in participating in the event may contact Sergeant Marti Stewart at (252) 432-0062 or via email at mstewart@hendersonncpd.org
VGCC Partners With N.C. State For Dual-Admission Program
-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Vance-Granville Community College has entered an agreement with North Carolina State University to offer a dual-admission, dual-enrollment program. The initiative will benefit students who wish to be guaranteed admission to NCSU to earn a baccalaureate degree after completing an associate degree at VGCC.
VGCC is one of eight community colleges working with the university in the N.C. State Community College Collaboration, or C3, as the program is called. NCSU officials met with Vance-Granville officials on Main Campus on June 12 to online the plans for the program.
“This pathway to N.C. State is more like an eight-lane highway for our students to continue a superior education even beyond the doors of Vance-Granville,” said Stacey Carter-Coley, VGCC’s vice president of employee and student services. “What a remarkable day it is for our community of learners, supporters and partners.”
“C3 is intended for high-achieving community college students from low-to-moderate income backgrounds who plan to attend N.C. State University after completing their associate degree at one of the eight community colleges,” Bobbie Jo May, dean of VGCC’s Franklin Campus, said in her welcoming remarks. The program differs from other VGCC partnerships in place, however, she said, because “students are dually admitted to both institutions at the same time.”
North Carolina State University Senior Vice Provost of Enrollment and Management Services Dr. Louis D. Hunt outlines plans for the N.C. State C3 program to allow dual admission and dual enrollment to VGCC students who wish to earn their four-year degree at NCSU after getting an associate degree at the community college. NCSU officials met with college officials on Vance-Granville’s Main Campus on June 12. (VGCC Photo)
When a student enrolls in the Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) degree programs at VGCC, he or she will also enroll at NCSU as a Non-Degree Studies (NDS) student, according to Dr. Louis D. Hunt, N.C. State’s senior vice provost of enrollment management and services. Students will have up to three years to complete their AA, AS or Associate of Engineering (AE) degree at one of the designated community colleges.
After completing the degree and maintaining a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better, the C3 participants will be guaranteed admission to N.C. State. Entry into specific majors may be more competitive, Hunt added.
“Each year, nearly 1,700 students transfer to N.C. State to complete their bachelor’s degree,” Dr. Hunt said. “N.C. State is committed to increasing that number by providing a guaranteed admission pathway to N.C. State from our partner community colleges.”
“We’re very excited about this partnership,” he added. “As a land-grant institution, we’ve always been committed to providing opportunities to all citizens across the state of North Carolina. Creating more opportunities for students from low-to-moderate income families and students from rural communities is essential to our success. N.C. State’s strategic plan emphasizes increasing the number of North Carolina Community College System graduates enrolling in our programs.”
May noted that C3 students will work with advising staff at both institutions. “Once enrolled, students are assigned an academic and career coach with Vance-Granville and a separate academic advisor for N.C. State,” May said. “The coach and the advisor will work together with the student on their academic plan.”
Students who may apply for C3 include graduating high school seniors as well as current community college students who have completed less than 30 credit hours of college work, officials said.
Among the benefits of the program for Vance-Granville students will be access to N.C. State’s online advising and course planning systems, the opportunity to enroll in approved NCSU courses while enrolled at VGCC, and planned C3 activities on both VGCC’s campus and N.C. State’s campus.
“Vance-Granville is always seeking new opportunities to educate, inspire and support our students through creative partnerships,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, VGCC’s president. “This initiative developed by North Carolina State University will open new doors for our Vanguards, providing clear pathways from an associate’s degree to a bachelor’s degree.”
Also meeting with the NCSU officials were Dr. Levy Brown, VGCC’s vice president of academic affairs, and Spence Bailey, director of admissions.
The other community colleges participating in the program are Alamance, Central Carolina, Durham Technical, Johnston, Nash, Wake Technical and Wilson.
For more information, interested individuals can visit the N.C. State website at https://admissions.ncsu.edu/m/community-college-collaboration/ or speak with a staff member in the VGCC’s Admissions Office at (252) 738-3234.
Brown Sentenced for Felon in Possession Charge
-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice
The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that today, AQUILLA BROWN, 27, of Henderson, North Carolina, was sentenced by Judge Louise W. Flanagan to 105 months imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.
BROWN was named in an Indictment on June 27, 2017, charging him with Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Felon. On February 15, 2018, BROWN pled guilty to the charge.
On March 15, 2017, the Henderson Police Department (HPD) initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for traffic infractions. BROWN was a passenger in that vehicle. After obtaining identification from the driver and BROWN, the HPD became aware of the frequent alleged drug-trafficking activities by BROWN. Based on this information, a K-9 unit responded to the scene and made a positive alert to the presence of narcotics on BROWN’S side of the vehicle. BROWN stated that he smoked marijuana prior to entering the vehicle. As both occupants exited the vehicle, law enforcement observed the driver attempt to hide an object in her boot which was discovered to be a firearm. BROWN acknowledged ownership of the firearm, a .38 caliber revolver, which was loaded at the time.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Henderson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney S. Katherine Burnette handled the prosecution of this case for the government.
News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s webpage at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_EDNC
Aycock Rec. Center to Offer Youth & Teen Volleyball Skills Camp
-Information and flyer courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor
Henderson and Vance County youth and teens ages 7 – 14, are you interested in volleyball camp? Would you like to enhance your skills and knowledge of the game?
The 2018 Volleyball Skills and Drills Camp will be offered on Monday, July 23, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Aycock Recreation Center Gym, 307 Carey Chapel Rd, Henderson.
The instructor will be Shannon Allen, coach at Livingstone College.
Registration fee: $16
Registration deadline: Saturday, July 21, 2018
For more information, please contact:
Victor Hunt (252) 438-3408 or vhunt@ci.henderson.nc.us
Steve Osborne (252) 438-2670 or sosborne@ci.henderson.nc.us
Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks website: https://ci.henderson.nc.us/departments/recreation-and-parks/
(This is not a paid advertisement)
St. John Baptist Church to Celebrate Ministry of Music, Sun. July 15
-Information courtesy Georgette G. Yarborough-Stevenson, St. John Baptist Church
St. John Baptist Church, Middleburg, NC will be celebrating our Ministry of Music, Bro. Ernest Owen Anniversary Program on Sunday, July 15, 2018, at 3 p.m.
Appearing on the program will be Big Ruin Creek Gospel Choir, The Firm Believers, Concord Male Choir, Gospel Messengers, Sandy Grove Gospel Choir, Spring Street Gospel Ensemble and Rowland Chapel Gospel Choir.
Rev. Cora Boyd of Spring Street Missionary Baptist Church will be the Mistress of Ceremony.
The public is invited to attend.
(This is not a paid advertisement)