HPD Crime of the Month: Individual injured after drive-by shooting
Press Release: March 1, 2017
On February 25, 2017 at approximately 11:50 PM officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to Maria Parham Health in reference to a shooting into an occupied vehicle. Upon arrival, officers spoke with Nakiya Cheek who stated that while at a stop sign at Davis and Nicholas Street a vehicle drove pass and a subject opened fire into her vehicle. As a result Cheek sustained injuries from broken glass.
The investigation is being conducted by members of the Henderson Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division. If anyone should have any information related to this case, they are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141. Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $2,000 for information that may lead to an arrest. Callers may remain anonymous.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow
HPD Crime of the Month: Bullet Hole Found in Rear Window of Parked Car
Press Release: March 1, 2017
On February 27, 2017 at approximately 8:45 AM officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to 84 Ranes Drive in reference to property damage to a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers spoke with Kelly Puryear who stated that she found a bullet hole in the rear window of her vehicle.
The investigation is being conducted by members of the Henderson Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division. If anyone should have any information related to this case, they are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141. Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $2,000 for information that may lead to an arrest. Callers may remain anonymous.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow
Get M.A.D. and Make A Difference
The local Henderson Family YMCA wants you to get M.A.D. in March and Make A Difference in the life of a child. Per information below from the YMCA, you can help and participate in a number of ways.
Ryan Beckham Davis, daughter of Kim Davis, our Youth Programs Director, LOVED camp at the Henderson Family YMCA! She began participating in Y Programs as soon as she could at age 4. For two years Ryan was involved in girls basketball, spring soccer, T-ball, fall soccer, swimming lessons and after school and summer day camp. Unfortunately, Ryan’s life was cut way too short in 2004 in an ATV accident. The YMCA staff wanted to honor Ryan’s life and began the Ryan Davis Memorial Endowment Fund in 2005. The Endowment funds scholarships for Summer Day Camp and applications are made available to the public every year prior to the beginning of camp. The recipients are selected by an anonymous committee. Since the Endowment began, over 65 children have had the opportunity to experience the Best Summer Ever at Camp Splash-n-Dash.
To fund the endowment each year, the Y holds an event to raise money in memory of Ryan. There have been Spin-a-thons, Fitness Frenzy’s and Zumbathon’s to name a few. This year we are asking the entire membership and community to join us in getting M.A.D…making a difference in the life of a child by participating in any or all of the following activities:
March 1-31 – COIN drive (containers will be placed throughout the building)
March 6-10 – Membership Special (In lieu of joining fee make a donation of $50 for individual or $62.50 for family to the endowment)
March 11 – Basketball Shootout beginning at Noon (‘shooters’ are asked to represent their businesses and organizations & get their ‘FAN CLUB’ to help sponsor them for $100 and see who the best ‘shooter’ is in our area)
March 17 – Bake Sale (baked goods individually wrapped ready for sale are welcome)
March 18 – Pickleball Tournament beginning at 9:00 A.M. – $10 for members and $20 for non-members to participate.
March 25 – M.A.D. Move-a-thon – Matilda and various Zumba Instructors will lead classes from 8:00 – 11:00 A.M. in the Gym while Willie, Chris and Rob will lead an Outdoor Madness on the field from 9:00 – 11:00 A.M. – $10 for members and $20 for non-members
March 31 – Flick-n-Float in the pool at 6:30 P.M. Join us for an age appropriate movie for families while floating in the pool. $5/person.To participate in the activities during GOING M.A.D. IN MARCH, please register at Member Services. We will have buttons for staff to wear to help promote the campaign. Our goal is $10,000 in March to help send 10 or more deserving children to the best summer ever at SPLASH-N-DASH!
Volunteers are needed! If you know of anyone that would like to help with any of the activities, please let Julia know or offer a volunteer application because all volunteers must apply and have background checks. We can get our membership excited about all of it if we let our enthusiasm lead the way so GET M.A.D. IN MARCH and Make A Difference in the life of a child!
Famed Virginia State University Chorale to Visit McGregor Hall
The VSUAA-Greater Triangle Alumni Chapter (NC) is proud to present the renowned Virginia State University Gospel Chorale in concert on Sunday, April 2, 2017 in concert at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 3.30 p.m.
The Mistress of Ceremony will be Ms. Phyllis Coley CEO/ Publisher of Spectacular Magazine and Former Host/ Producer of Spectacular Magazine Radio Show, both of Durham, North Carolina. Various acts will open the concert: The South Warren Elementary School Visual & Performing Arts Group from Warrenton, NC under the direction of Mr. Cameron Eaton and Mrs. Morgan Perry; Mr. Joezell Charles, a saxophonist, who is Band Director at Eaton-Johnson Middle School, Henderson, NC; Mrs. Sandra Gibson,Mrs. Black NC 2011/ Smooth Jazz-R&B Vocalist, Apex, NC.
Among The Virginia State University Chorale’s numerous accolades and accomplishments are the following: 2016 National College Choir Competition Winner; 2015 Steve Harvey Neighborhood Awards- Best Church Choir; 2013 America’s Got Talent- Season 8 Quarter Finals; 2012 Verizon’s “ How Sweet the Sound”-DC Regional People’s Choice Award Winner.
Advance tickets for the event are $10 each, online tickets are $10 each with nominal processing fee ( https://vsugospel.bpt.me ), and at door tickets are $15 each. For more information and/or advance tickets, please contact the following: Henderson area- DeAnna Lewis at dlewis@warrenk12nc.org, Dennis M. Snead at 1906rbl@gmail.com, Cicily Marsh at missceecee@gmail.com, Taylor Whitehead at mrknowitall91@aol.com ; Raleigh area- Anita Jackson at Tlcanj@gmail.com, Orlando Conner at ozat@bellsouth.net ; Durham area- Faye Watkins at fayewatkins75@gmail.com, Vivian Lewis at vivianlewis30@hotmail.com .
Chartered in 2016 as the 46th chapter of the Virginia State University Alumni Association (VSUAA), Greater Triangle Area Chapter (NC) Inc., is actively working to support students who live in our area and aspire to attend our Alma Mater.
The Virginia State University Gospel Chorale History, Achievements, and Highlights
Founded in 1971 by Ms. Jackie Ruffin (formerly of the Richard Smallwood Singers) and Mr. Larry Bland as the Larry Bland Gospel Ensemble. The name was later changed to the Virginia State College Gospel Choir.
Recorded its first album, “Everyday with Jesus,” in 1977. After the success of this album, the choir then recorded a second album, “He’s Able,” in 1978. The choir recorded its third CD, “Virginia State University Gospel Chorale: Live in Concert,” in 2003.
Has participated off-and-on in a number of competitions. The most notable competition was the National Black Music Caucus Gospel Competition in New York City, where the choir won first place in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1996, and 2003, and second place in 1985 and 2006.
Has toured nationally in the states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Alabama, Maryland, Connecticut, and Washington, DC. Has toured internationally (most recently in 2013 and 2015) in U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, and Europe (Italy, Hungary, France, Switzerland, and Romania), performing each time at the annual Pope’s Vatican Christmas Concert.
Has performed on the same stage as gospel-recording artists Cheryl “CoCo” Clemons of R&B group SWV, Mary Mary, Tye Tribbett, Earnest Pugh, Hezekiah Walker, JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise, and poet Nikki Giovanni.
Made history in September 2012 by competing in How Sweet the Sound, a Verizon experience. Out of the thousands of video entries submitted, the choir was one forty-two choirs, and only one of four college choirs, to compete in the regional competitions around the country. Although the choir did not advance to the grand finale, it would go on to win the 2012 DC Region’s People Choice Award and garner local, regional, and national acclaim.
Made history again in January 2013 by being selected to perform at the DC Citywide Interfaith Food Drive, which was part of President Obama’s National Day of Service. This was part of the official Presidential Inauguration Activities.
In probably their biggest accomplishment to date, was a quarterfinalist is season 8 (2013) of “America’s Got Talent.” This not only garnered national and international exposure for the Chorale, but for the University as well.
Performed at the historic Virginia gubernatorial inauguration of Terence “Terry” McAuliffe in January 2014.
In February 2014, travelled to Bridgetown, Barbados by special invitation to perform as special guest at their Black History month festivities.
Winner of the 2015 Steve Harvey Neighborhood Awards’ Best Church Choir.
Winner of the 2016 National College Choir Explosion.
The VSU Gospel Chorale is currently listed under the word “choir” in the Britannica Online Encyclopedia. Additionally, the Chorale is included in two music appreciation textbooks in the gospel music sections.
The choir is currently blessed to have approximately 100 choir members and five musicians – a colorful mix of races, nationalities, and geographical backgrounds. The Chorale is under the leadership of Mr. James Holden Jr. (Faculty Advisor), Perry Evans II (Director), Mr. Michael Rainey (Business Manager), and Mr. Mark Johnson (Musical Director).
Henderson Land Planning Committee to meet Thursday
The Henderson City Council’s Land Planning Committee will meet on Thursday, March 2, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 134 Rose Avenue. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss policies and receive updates, along with other issues associated with City owned properties.
The public is welcome.
Esther J. McCrackin
City Clerk – City of Henderson, NC
134 Rose Avenue
P.O. Box 1434
Henderson, NC 27536
Wake Forest Police ask for Public’s Help locating suspect
Wake Forest Police are asking for the public’s help locating Jared Timothy Knaus, 204 Plantation Dr., Youngsville, whose photo is shown (below).
At approximately 12:18 a.m. Monday, police were conducting a driver’s license checking station along East Wait Avenue at the entrance of the Bowling Green subdivision. While speaking with Knaus, officers detected a strong odor of marijuana. After initially consenting to a search and exiting his vehicle, Knaus, 28, jumped back inside the car and struggled with officers before driving away – briefly dragging Officer J.L. McArthur and knocking him down in the roadway. Officer McArthur suffered a minor injury to his knee.
While attempting to elude police, Knaus turned into the Bowling Green subdivision where his vehicle got stuck in a wooded area behind Gracie Girl Way. The subject exited the vehicle and fled on foot. A short time later, a homeowner along Deasley Drive reported that the subject entered their home through the front door, then ran out the back door when confronted. A Wake County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit arrived and tracked Knaus but ultimately proved unsuccessful. Officers have also been unable to locate the subject.
Warrants have been obtained for Knaus for felony flee to elude, felony assault on a law enforcement officer causing injury, and assault on a law enforcement officer. Additional charges are pending.
Anyone who believes they may know the whereabouts of Knaus are urged to call the Police Department Tip Line at 919-435-9610. All calls are confidential.
H-V Chamber Kicks off Leadership Vance 2017
The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce kicked off its 2017 Leadership Vance Program with an orientation breakfast at Vance-Granville Community College on February 7. The group also held its team building and challenge course retreat on February 23 at the Fred G. Bond Metro Park.
The Leadership Vance program is designed to inform, challenge and educate participants on the opportunities and needs of the community and to strengthen their leadership skills while teaching about the social, economic, and political dynamics that shape our community. The intensive training and exposure to all aspects of the community will provide participants with the historical background and the skills necessary for civic and community positions. The program is ultimately designed to create a group of informed and dedicated leaders who will contribute to the community.
Participants are exposed to various aspects of Henderson and Vance County, specifically in regard to city and county government, health and community resources, economic development, agriculture and natural resources, history and media and criminal justice and law.
Participants in this year’s class include: Lisa Bender, Capital Campaign Coordinator-Vance Charter School; Desiree Brooks, Advertising Director-The Daily Dispatch; Norwin Fischer, Systems Operations Manager-Walmart DC 6091; Krystal Harris, Director-Vance County Dept. of Social Services; Jennifer Jones, Sales Manager-US Cellular; Sara Lloyd, Director of Customized Training-Vance-Granville Community College; Marty McGraw, Asset Protection Manager-Walmart DC 6091; Sheri Moss, Social Worker II – Work First-Vance County Dept. of Social Services; Jason Spriggs, Water Treatment Operator-Kerr Lake Regional Water System; Paylor Spruill, Assistant to the City Manager-City of Henderson; Joy Suther, Assistant Principal – Dabney Elementary School; Tremanisha Taylor, Youth/Adult Sports Coordinator-Henderson Family YMCA; Ursula Kennedy, Director of Nursing Operations-Maria Parham Health; Tonya Verzaal-Harris, QA Area Manager-Walmart DC 6091; Jessica West, Community Services Sergeant-City of Henderson Police Department; Sallie White, Market Leader-BB&T; Chambers Williams III, Managing Editor-The Daily Dispatch.
