Habanero Grill Arsonist Caught on Camera; Reward Offered for Info. Leading to Arrest

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-Information courtesy Marcus Barrow, Chief of Police, Henderson Police Department

In conjunction with the Henderson Fire Department and with assistance from the SBI, the Henderson Police Department is seeking the assistance of the public in the investigation of a Breaking and Entering, Larceny, and Arson case.

In the early morning hours of Monday, December 17, an individual broke the window out of Habanero Grill, located at 116 Parham Road, and entered the business. Once inside, the suspect broke into a small safe and took the contents. Prior to exiting the business, a fire was started that caused tremendous damage to the local business.

A similar fire destroyed Mazatlán Mexican Restaurant on November 27, but cause and origin are still under investigation by the previously mentioned agencies.

Below is a snapshot of the suspect inside the business of Habanero Grill. If anyone has information or an anonymous tip, they are encouraged to contact the Henderson Police Department at (252) 438-4141 or Crime Stoppers at (252) 492-1925. A cash reward of up to $2,000 is offered for information leading to the arrest of this individual.

Businesses are strongly encouraged to set their alarms and or install alarms to assist in notifying authorities of crimes in progress. Vigilance is essential to these cases.

In the early morning hours of Monday, December 17, an individual (pictured here) broke the window out of Habanero Grill, located at 116 Parham Road, and entered the business.  If anyone has information or an anonymous tip, they are encouraged to contact the Henderson Police Department at (252) 438-4141 or Crime Stoppers at (252) 492-1925.

Vance County Logo

Vance Co. DSS Selects 44 Children for This Year’s ‘Shop With A Cop’ Event

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-Information courtesy Sheri Moss, Vance County Dept. of Social Services

WIZS News is pleased to provide additional details regarding the annual Shop With A Cop event. In addition to the $6,000 raised in a fundraiser sponsored by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce and Maria Parham Health, the Vance County Department of Social Services plays a large role in making the annual event a success.

Vance Co. DSS partners with local law enforcement, donates money towards Shop With A Cop and selects the children who participate in the experience through a referral process.

Once the referral process is complete, the committee, comprised of law enforcement and DSS staff, reviews the applications and selects the families/children for Shop With A Cop. This year there are 44 children that will be shopping on Thursday, December 20.

Children that are not selected for Shop With A Cop are matched up with sponsors who contact the agency. This year, over 100 children will be serviced through sponsorships.

Without the sponsorships, as well as donations, Christmas Cheer and Shop With a Cop would not be a success!

Re-Elected Board of Education Members Sworn In to New Terms

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At the meeting of the Vance County Board of Education Monday night, Board of Education members who were re-elected in November were sworn in to serve new four-year terms.

Those receiving the oath were Gloria J. White, Ruth Hartness, Margaret Ellis and Darlynn Oxendine. The Honorable Henry Hight, Jr. administered the oath of office.

Each of the incumbent Democrats was unopposed in the general election.

In the May primary, Margaret Ellis defeated challenger Omega Perry with 75.92 percent of the votes. Ruth Hartness defeated Marcia Allen in the primary by earning 68.85 percent of the votes.

Waste Industries Christmas & New Year’s Pick Up Schedule

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-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson

Waste Industries will be closed Tuesday, December 25, 2018, in observance of Christmas and Tuesday, January 1, 2019, in observance of New Year’s Day. For the time period of December 25-28, 2018, and January 1-4, 2019, regularly-scheduled pick up will be delayed by one day.

For additional information on the holiday schedule for the Vance Granville branch,  please visit the Waste Industries website by clicking here.

Henderson Vance Recreation & Parks

Upcoming Events for Toddlers Through Seniors at Aycock Rec. Center

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-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center

Hip Hop Water Aerobics: is a fast-paced cardio workout in the water with low impact on your joints. The classes will be held on Mondays beginning February 4, 2019. The only requirement is that you must be able to touch the bottom of the 4 ft end of the pool. For more information, please contact Lauren Newlin at lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us  or (252) 438-3160.

Wahoo Swim Club: Attention Youth ages 5-17 years old! Do you love to swim? Well, Aycock Recreation Center has a new program that is perfect for you – Wahoo Swim Club. The goal of the Swim Club is to build good swimming foundations through good sportsmanship, and most importantly, teamwork. Please contact Lauren Newlin at 252.438.3160 or lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us  for more information.

Tot Time: Tot Time is for toddlers ages 1-5 to enjoy equipment and toys that are age appropriate and designed to let them explore and learn new skills. This is unstructured open gym time and children must be supervised at all times. For more information, please contact Lauren Newlin at lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us or 252.438.3160

Senior Prep Games: Senior Prep Games is designed for participants ages 50 or better who are planning to participate in the 2019 Senior Games. Participants will have the opportunity to practice or learn about the sports that are offered during Senior Games.  Please contact Crystal Allen at callen@ci.henderson.nc.us or 252.431.6091 for more information.

News 12/18/18

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Another Mexican Restaurant Burns! Habanero Grill Catches Fire in Early Morning Hours

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For the second time in less than three weeks, a local Mexican restaurant has caught on fire. Habanero Grill Mexican Restaurant, located on Parham Road in Henderson, caught on fire about 2:49 a.m., according to Henderson Fire Chief Steve Cordell. According to Cordell, the fire is under investigation and there are no reported injuries.

Visible at the scene was a smashed window and extensive damage. The roofline appears intact but proper damage assessment won’t happen until later today.

Habanero Grill owner, Blanca Yuri and her family, told WIZS News the restaurant will reopen, and hopefully soon. Yuri said the restaurant’s Facebook page would be kept up-to-date.

Yuri told WIZS News that someone broke into the restaurant and stole money from the safe. She said she suspects the thieves also set the business on fire. They are looking for answers and they are looking for who did it.

A video that was taken at the scene was placed on WIZS’ Facebook page earlier today.

Yuri told WIZS News that this fire appears to be very similar to what happened at Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant on Ruin Creek Rd. on November 27. That fire is still under investigation, and no official cause has been released by the Henderson Fire Department or the State Bureau of Investigation.

A sad morning for the restaurant and its family, as well as Mexican food lovers in the area, as Habanero Grill is presently surrounded by police tape. It is located within the city limits.

Habanero Grill Mexican Restaurant, located on Parham Road in Henderson, caught on fire about 2:49 a.m. on December 17, 2018, according to Henderson Fire Chief Steve Cordell. According to Cordell, the fire is under investigation and there are no reported injuries. (Photo: WIZS News)

Vance County NC

Jarvis Discusses Mako’s First Year in Vance Co.; Provides Updates on EDC Initiatives

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Dennis Jarvis, II, director of the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission, was on Monday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to provide updates related to the EDC.

Mako Medical Laboratories:

The segment began with a discussion on Mako Medical Laboratories and their progress since opening their new location in Henderson in late 2017.

According to Jarvis, since December of last year, the company has met or exceeded the investments initially outlined to them by the State, County and City for a five-year time period.

For the same five-year period, Mako is already approximately halfway to filling the 153 jobs initially promised. “They are already at 70+ jobs in year one,” Jarvis said.

In addition, Jarvis said Mako has spent much of their first year supporting various community endeavors, including the school system, with initiatives such as The Daily Dispatch’s monthly Student Spotlight recognition.

As for the future, Jarvis said he is confident the community will continue to watch Mako exceed criteria and grow. “Mako was recognized by the Triangle Business Journal as being amongst the Top 50 fast-track companies in the region; Top 100 privately-held companies in the state,” Jarvis said.

“We are truly blessed Mako Medical is a part of our community.”

New EDC Website:

According to Jarvis, the new Henderson-Vance EDC website will be open for public viewing later this week pending endorsement and affirmation.

The EDC has been working with a marketing firm for several months to create a “more true representation of what Vance County and Henderson have to offer.”

Website features will include business opportunities, properties, business locations, financial institutions and growth factors, according to Jarvis.

Jarvis also explained that the website will focus on the word “advance” to play on “Vance” County. “The [new] website will show why making an investment in Vance County advances your opportunities.”

 Phase III of the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park:

With the County’s recent purchase of 84 acres of land to expand the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park, a master plan is in the works for land development. According to Jarvis, the plan will be available by the second quarter of 2019. “The master plan will give us a visual representation of how property, road and infrastructure could be laid out,” said Jarvis.

Earlier this year, Vance County received a $2.45 million grant from the Rural ReadySites program for development of the industrial park located at the intersection of Bear Pond Road and US-1 Bypass in Henderson.

Jarvis said the County is currently working with a contractor to remove asbestos on the front half of an existing structure within the Industrial Park. Investment opportunities will be reviewed upon completion of clean-up on this property.

To hear the interview in its entirety, please click here.

City of Henderson Logo

Heavy Rains, Melting Snow Cause Multiple Untreated Wastewater Discharges

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-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson

The City of Henderson experienced heavy rains and melting snow on December 14, 2018, causing flooding throughout the area that resulted in discharges of untreated wastewater.

The first discharge of an estimated 51,000 gallons at the Sandy Creek Pump Station, located at 482 Rock Mill Road was discharged into Sandy Creek.  The second discharge of an estimated 21,600 gallons at Redbud Pump Station, located at 51 Vance Academy Road was discharged into Redbud Stream.

There was also a bypass of approximately 28,050 gallons of untreated water on the same day due to infiltration/inflow at the intersection of Pinkston Street and Farrar Avenue and Neatherly Street.

Both are part of the Tar Pamlico River Basin. The Division of Water Resources was notified of the event on December 16, 2018, and is reviewing the matter.

For more information contact the Henderson Water Reclamation Facility at 252-431-6080, Public Services ORC Joey Long, Jr. at 252-226-4492, or Public Works Director Andy Perkinson at 252-431-6117.

Community Partners of Hope

Henderson Men’s Shelter Needs Help Finishing Out the Year, Beginning 2019

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-Information courtesy Community Partners of Hope

As we prepare to celebrate God’s gift of Jesus, let us thank you for the gift of your time, talent, meals, donations, prayers and more that have enabled us to operate the Henderson Men’s Shelter again this year on a shoestring budget! That is what COMMUNITY is all about! We still need your help through the end of March!

December has been extremely cold and then we had about a foot of snow! Our shelter managers and volunteers have done a wonderful job of keeping the shelter open for white flag conditions (see more about white flag below).

We are still trying to find men to volunteer for the overnight shift – 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. for December 23 – 31. We also need volunteers for the month of January. We cannot keep the shelter open without supervision and we do NOT want to tell our guests that they have to leave! If you can cover a single night, that will be a blessing!

A special shout out to a few of the men in Hope House who have been giving back by taking a few shifts at the shelter! These men came through the shelter and are making progress towards their own housing.

WHITE FLAG CONDITIONS:

When the temperature dips below freezing or when we have ice and/or snow, we know that it is just not safe for homeless men to be sleeping outside. In that spirit, we will accept any man who will obey the rules while in the shelter even if he lost privileges earlier. We will also admit men up until 10 p.m. (or later if escorted by law enforcement personnel).

On mornings when it is extremely cold or if ice and snow have caused other locations to close (like ACTS and the library), we will keep the shelter open during the morning until conditions are better. In extreme weather like our snowstorm, we have kept the shelter open all day. We can use volunteers and extra food on those days, so if you can offer help, please call the shelter manager (252) 820-0701.

You can see our calendar at any time from our website at www.cp-hope.org. Just click on the SHELTER CALENDAR tab at the top.

OUR CHRISTMAS WISH LIST:

Our largest need is funding to help pay operating expenses, including pay for the two shelter managers who keep things running smoothly.

We also depend on lots of donated clothing (NEW only) and supplies to keep the shelter running and our men warm and dry.

NEEDED SUPPLIES:

  • Large bottles of hand sanitizer
  • Large refill bottles of hand soap
  • Cans of foot powder or athletes foot spray
  • Tall kitchen trash bags (13 – gallon size)
  • Laundry Detergent
  • 7-ounce adjustable air fresheners
  • Pine-sol type cleaner – gallon containers
  • Toilet bowl cleaner – gel type
  • Soap – small sample size (or hotel supplies)
  • Instant Grits
  • Crackers & nabs
  • Cup of Noodles (With Cup)
  • Coffee & creamer
  • Peanut butter & jelly
  • Four-pound bags of sugar
  • CLOTHING – NEW ONLY!   (take used clothing to a thrift store, please)
  • Men’s undergarments (all sizes)
  • Waterproof men’s gloves
  • Men’s sweatshirts (Sizes L, XL, XXL)
  • Men’s thermal sets (Sizes L, XL, XXL)
  • White tube socks

NOT NEEDED:   

Shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, instant oatmeal, deodorant, dress socks and coffee mugs

A NOTE ABOUT DONATIONS:

All contributions are tax deductible.

You may mail a check to:

Community Partners of Hope, Inc., P.O. Box 1791, Henderson, NC 27536

Donations can be taken to:

First Baptist Church (9-5 Monday thru Thursday or 9-12 Friday)

First Presbyterian Church (10-1 Monday thru Thursday)

WIZS Radio Station

or call Betty Boyd (252) 432-3967 to arrange delivery