Bonner Bridge Replacement A Reality

/by

Raleigh, N.C. — Governor Pat McCrory announced the final roadblocks were cleared Friday allowing the N.C. Department of Transportation to proceed with construction of a new Herbert C. Bonner Bridge on N.C. 12 over the Oregon Inlet in Dare County.

Completing the terms of a settlement agreement reached in June, environmental groups represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center have dropped all remaining lawsuits that prevented NCDOT from replacing the 52-year-old Bonner Bridge with a new bridge parallel to the existing one.

“This marks another historic milestone in finally replacing the critical lifeline bridge for residents and visitors of the Outer Banks and supporting our continued efforts to connect North Carolina,” said Governor Pat McCrory. “I want to thank the entire team of NCDOT employees, state, and federal attorneys who have worked so hard to make this possible and find a solution for the Bonner Bridge project which had been stalled for more than 20 years.”

With the final dismissals, NCDOT and the contractor expect to complete final design and preconstruction work in time to begin building the new bridge in Spring of 2016.

In addition to replacing the Bonner Bridge NCDOT will also:
* Construct a new interim bridge over the breached inlet on Pea Island
* Construct a 2.5 mile-long Pamlico Sound bridge, known as a “jug
handle,” from the southern end of the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
into Rodanthe

Bonner Bridge Replacement
NCDOT awarded a $216 million design-build contract for the 3.5 mile-long
Bonner Bridge replacement to the team of PCL Constructors Inc. and HDR
Engineering Inc. of the Carolinas in 2011. This contract is still in place
and the final contract amount will be adjusted to meet current costs
associated with the construction delay.

Pea Island
NCDOT will move forward with plans to construct an interim bridge on Pea
Island at the location of the existing temporary bridge that was
constructed after Hurricane Irene formed a breach in 2011. The interim
bridge will be easier to maintain than the existing temporary bridge. It
will provide safe access for the area while the department studies options
for a long-term solution at this location.

NCDOT expects to award a contract for this project in the fall, with construction starting as early as the end of this year.

Rodanthe Long-Term Bridge
With the preferred design officially approved by the project merger team,
NCDOT can also proceed with constructing the long-term bridge for N.C. 12
from the southern end of the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge south into
Rodanthe.

By replacing the existing stretch of N.C. 12 with a bridge in the Pamlico Sound, NCDOT will be able to maintain safe and reliable access for residents and visitors of Rodanthe and southern Hatteras Island. This area includes a section of N.C. 12 north of Rodanthe known locally as the “S-curves” also damaged by Hurricane Irene in 2011.

The bridge is estimated to cost between $178.8 million and $197.8 million. Before a design-build contract is awarded and a timeframe for construction can be set, final documentation must be completed.

The department chose this design over a bridge along the existing route of N.C. 12 because it minimizes impacts to the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, the ocean shoreline and the Rodanthe community.

NC State Budget $21.735 Billion

/by

Raleigh, NC – Governor Pat McCrory announced today that he has reached an agreement with Senate and House leaders on the spending amount for a revised state budget. At a morning breakfast meeting with the Governor at the Executive Mansion, House and Senate leadership agreed upon a budget spending amount of $21.735 billion.

 “This agreement is the result of ongoing dialogue during the last several weeks. We remain committed to working with the House and Senate to find common sense solutions that create jobs, strengthen education and fund critical infrastructure in North Carolina,” said Governor McCrory.
Last week, the Governor signed a Continuing Resolution giving the General Assembly until August 31 to reach an agreement.

School Bus Safety – Important

/by

State Highway Patrol Urges Motorists to Stay Alert Due to Increase of School Buses on North Carolina Roadways

RALEIGH – In North Carolina, over 14,000 school buses travel our highways daily transporting children to and from school.  Most motorists that meet school buses on the state’s highways actually stop as required by North Carolina law.  However some do not. The results can be tragic. Since 1999, thirteen children in North Carolina have been struck and killed while loading and/or unloading from a stop school bus. School buses are easy to spot. They typically are painted yellow with the words “School Bus” printed in large type on their front and rear as well as being equipped with alternately flashing red lights on the front and rear. Yet despite these distinguishable traits, motorists still fail to properly stop.

According to the Department of Public Instruction, a total of 3,153 vehicles across the state passed stopped school buses on a single day in 2014. Despite that number, school buses are the safest mode of transportation for getting children back and forth to school. Statistics show that students are about 50 times more likely to arrive at school alive if they take the bus than if they drive themselves or ride with friends. More surprisingly, a child is much safer riding the bus than being driven by a parent.

Through the years, the penalties for those who violate the law, have become more stringent. Under North Carolina law, G.S. 20-217, drivers going either direction must stop when a school bus is stopped to let children off unless it is on a highway divided by a median or a four or more lane road with a center turning lane. Drivers are to remain stopped until the bus has completed dropping the children off and begun to move again. Drivers who are convicted of passing a stopped school bus face a $500 fine and 5-points on their driver’s license. A driver who passes a stopped school bus and strikes someone will face a Class I felony and be fined a minimum of $1,000. The penalty increases to a Class H felony and fine of $2,500 if someone dies.

In an effort to promote traffic safety around North Carolina schools, school buses and school bus stops, the Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to be aware of the increase of school buses across the state.

“As we begin the school year, our Troopers will be closely monitoring school buses.  Our number one goal is to ensure the safety of the public but particularly our children,” said Colonel Bill Grey, Commander of the State Highway Patrol. “To accomplish this goal, we must work together to keep our school children safe and to educate all drivers on the importance of school bus safety.”

To increase educational awareness, below are a few simple safety tips that drivers, parents and children should follow:

Drivers

  • When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school.
  • When driving in neighborhoods with school zones, watch out for young people who may be thinking about getting to school, but may not be thinking of getting there safely.
  • Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in neighborhood.
  • Slow down. Watch for children playing and congregating near bus stops.
  • Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
  • Learn and obey the school bus laws in your state. Learn the “flashing signal light system” that school bus drivers use to alert motorists of pending actions:
    • Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.
    • Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped, and that children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.

Children

  • Get to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
  • When the bus approaches, stand at least three giant steps (6 feet) away from the curb, and line up away from the street.
  • Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says that it’s okay before stepping onto the bus.
  • If you have to cross the street in front of the bus, walk on the sidewalk or along the side of the road to a point at least five giant steps (10 feet) ahead of the bus before you cross. Be sure that the bus driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver.
  • Use the handrails to avoid falls. When exiting the bus, be careful that clothing with drawstrings and book bags with straps don’t get caught in the handrails or doors.
  • Never walk behind the bus.
  • Walk at least three giant steps away from the side of the bus.
  • If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. Never try to pick it up because the driver may not be able to see you.

Parents

  • Teach children to follow these common sense practices to make school bus transportation safer.

For more information on North Carolina’s Stop Arm Law or other educational safety tips, please go to the following link:

https://www.ncbussafety.org/stoparm/.

For more general information, please contact Lt. Jeff Gordon at (919)733-5027 or Jeff.Gordon@ncdps.gov.

###

2015 City of Henderson Elections

/by

The city of Henderson will be holding its 2015 municipal election on Oct. 6, the offices of 1st Ward – Ward Seat, 2nd Ward – Ward Seat, 3rd Ward At-Large Seat, and 4th Ward At-Large Seat as well as the position of Henderson Mayor will be up for election. In order to vote upon these positions you must live within Henderson and be registered to vote by September 11, 2015. This can be done by submitting a voter registration form by walk-in or mail to the Board of Elections office at 300 S. Garnett Street, Henderson, NC. 27536. All registration forms must be in the Board of Elections office by 5:00pm on September 11, 2015. For more information regarding Henderson elections as well as other upcoming elections in Vance County you can visit the “Vance County Board of Elections” page on the Vance County website at: https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/board-of-elections/.

STORY TELLING – WRITING – ARITHMETIC

/by

Whatever happened to Reading?  It used to be Reading, Writing and Arithmetic.  It appears that story telling is taking over for Reading as the cornerstone of a new way for young children, especially African-American children, to learn and along the way build confidence and a strong bond between the pre-schooler and the teacher, this according to the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute.

The study by the Institute looked at more than 6,000 students across the United States and points out students need to be able to orally express themselves in class in front of other students as this activity helps develop early reading skills.

According to the study, when African-American children are given the opportunity to verbally tell their home and lesson stories to others in the class, good things happen not only to them but to others in the class.  According to the authors, teachers should listen more and talk less and encourage all their students to talk about their studies and surroundings as this encourages them to participate in all classroom activities.

This study was the first to demonstrate a connection between African-American preschoolers’ storytelling skills and further development of their early reading skills.

This article was recently released by North Carolina News Service, a statewide news service for North Carolina.

Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest of Wanted Warren County Man

/by

WARRENTON – A fourth Warren County man wanted on charges in connection with a fatal shooting, was arrested Sunday.

Deputies from the Warren County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop around three Sunday morning, near Baltimore Road, in Warrenton.

Darren Antoine Alston, 22, of Warrenton, was a passenger in the vehicle and arrested without incident.

Alston was charged with one count of first degree murder, one count of assault with a deadly weapon, five counts of attempted first degree murder, and two counts of discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle.

Alston was presented to a magistrate before being booked into the Warren County jail without bond.

Alston is the fourth man arrested and charged with shooting into two vehicles on August 9.  The shooting occurred just south of Connect 25, on U.S. Route 1 South, in Warrenton.

Montrell Randy Davis, 22, of Warrenton, Marquis Montelle Davis, 24, of Warrenton, and Kadeem Jaleel Grooms, 23, of Manson, were previously arrested for the same charges as Alston.  An associate of Grooms, Keshan Jamal Goode, 24, of Manson, was arrested and charged with accessory after-the-fact to murder.

This is a joint investigation being conducted by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation.  Although the investigation continues, no additional arrests are anticipated.

###

NCDOT Employee Saves Driver’s Life

/by

A NCDOT employee is being credited by Vance County Emergency Services with helping save the life of a driver who crashed into a pond off Warrenton Road. The incident occurred on Monday, August 10th. Jay Mozingo, who works in the NCDOT’s Youngsville office, helped get the driver out of the water and to safety.

Lawn Care Seminar at the VCR Farmers Market

/by

Lawn Care Seminar to be held at the Vance County Regional Farmer’s Market on August 19th at 12 noon.  Join in and learn all you need to know to have a beautiful lawn.  Items covered will include everything from fertilization to weed control to irrigation.  Special emphasis will be given to the tasks you should be doing over the next few weeks to make sure your lawn looks great next year!  FREE of charge!  For more information, call 252-438-8188 or e-mail paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu

Relay for Life of Vance County 2015

/by

On May 29, 2015 WIZS performed a live broadcast from Southern Vance High School in Henderson in order to provide Vance County and beyond with live coverage of the 36th annual “Relay for Life of Vance County” event. 433 participants were in attendance at the two-day relay around Southern Vance’s Raider Stadium track to benefit the American Cancer Society.

The celebration began on Friday evening with the singing of the National Anthem. Many were already walking around the track as vendors and charity booths served hot food, sweets, and offered carnival-style games to support the cause. At the far end of the field several inflatable playgrounds were made available.

The event was denoted by smiles and support from those in attendance who walked the track as single participants or as part of one of the 41 groups wearing matching team T-Shirts that came out in memory of individuals they have lost or to help those in need that are currently struggling with cancer.

Live music played throughout the night from the center stage halting only briefly for the evening’s special events such as the motorcycle lap and a heart-felt speech from Henderson Mayor “Pete” O’Geary.

By nightfall the field was filled with participants as the edges of the track were lined with ceremonial luminaries purchased by attendees and signed with well wishes as well as the names of those who have been affected by cancer. Around 9pm on Friday the stadium lights which surrounded the field were turned off for a moment of silence and prayer for those who have had and are currently struggling with the illness.

Throughout Friday afternoon and evening WIZS’ John Charles Rose broadcast live coverage and commentary of the event while Jason Walsh took pictures and collected interviews from vendors, event officials, and those walking the track. Henderson Mayor “Pete” O’Geary provided an exclusive interview to John Charles Rose following his evening speech.

The broadcast also included music, weather, and news from John Stevenson who controlled and monitored the live coverage from inside the studio. The event wrapped up on Saturday afternoon with a closing ceremony to honor those lost and celebrate those who are part of the fight to end this disease. The 36th annual “Relay for Life of Vance County” event brought in a total of over $79,000, as of the end of the annual event, to benefit research conducted by the American Cancer Association.   Additional monies will be raised and turned in for several more months until the 37th Annual Relay for Life Fundraiser and fiscal period begins in the fall.  For more information about volunteering or donating to the ACS visit their website at www.cancer.org.

ALE Makes Numerous Arrests in Response to Complaint at Walnut Creek Amphitheater

/by

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement’s District Office in Raleigh received numerous complaints from the public about illegal drug activity and alcohol violations occurring at Walnut Creek Amphitheater, an outlet in Raleigh that is licensed by the N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Commission. In response to the complaints, ALE conducted a special enforcement operation Aug. 14, and arrested 65 people on 115 charges (25 felonies).

The following people were arrested:

Patrick Martin Tobin, 24, of Ruckersville, VA
-Sell and Deliver Marijuana, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance
-Possess LSD, a Schedule I Controlled Substance
-Possess Hashish, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance (Misdemeanor)

Scott James Miles, 24, of Charlottesville, VA
-Possess MDMA, a Schedule I Controlled Substance
-Possess Cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance
-Possess LSD, a Schedule I Controlled Substance

David Gordon Johnson, 54, of Deland, FL
-Possess Cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance
-Possess Marijuana, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)

Victor Rich Marlar, 37, Asheville, NC
-Possess Psilocybin, a Schedule I Controlled Substance
-Possess Marijuana Candies, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance (Misdemeanor)

Megan Kathleen Floyd, 29, of Raleigh, NC
-Possess Psilocybin, a Schedule I Controlled Substance
-Resist, Obstruct, or Delay a Law Enforcement Officer (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)

Mark Lloyd Olson, 45, of San Diego, California
-Possess With Intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance
-Resist, Obstruct, or Delay a Law Enforcement Officer (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)

Bradley Hamilton Corpening, 32, of Wilmington, NC
-Possess Psilocybin, a Schedule I Controlled Substance

Matthew Ryan Beckelhimer, 33, of Wilmington, NC
-Possess Psilocybin, a Schedule I Controlled Substance

Nicholas Daniel Beto, 25, of Lititz, PA
-Possess LSD, a Schedule I Controlled Substance

Warren Joseph Rolison, 34, of Fountain, NC
-Possess LSD, a Schedule I Controlled Substance
-Possess MDMA, a Schedule I Controlled Substance

Joseph Peter Villari, 24, of Athens, GA
-Possess With Intent to Sell and Deliver MDMA, a Schedule I Controlled Substance
-Possess MDMA, a Schedule I Controlled Substance
-Possess Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)

David Wayne Bowers II, 30 of High Point, NC
-Possess With Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance
-Possess With Intent to Sell and Deliver Counterfeit Controlled Substance
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Matthew Alan McLamb, 42, Clayton, NC
-Possess Marijuana, a Schedule VI Controlled Substance (Misdemeanor)

Marcus H. Beto, 31, of Lititz, PA
-Possess Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Mark William Case, 49, of Santa Cruz, CA
-Possess With Intent to Sell and Deliver Counterfeit Controlled a Substance

Tyler Keith White, 34, of Columbia, SC
-Possess With Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance
-Maintaining a Vehicle for the Purpose of Possessing Cocaine

Justin Alan Johnson, 20, of Etna, OH
-Underage Possession of a Malt Beverage (Misdemeanor)

Ernest C. Megazzini II, 55, of Alpharetta, GA
-Possess Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Hannah Rose Pruett, 25, of Knightdale, NC
-Possess Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Samuel Keith McClure, 33, of San Diego, CA
-Possess Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Jonathan William Edwards, 30, of Raleigh, NC
-Possess Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Catherine Elena Komarow, 22, of McLean, VA
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Garry William Hardwicke, 56, of Atlanta, GA
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Kyle Phillips Hall, 20, of Flat Rock, NC
-Possess Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Corey R. Charness, 22, of Cranston, RI
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Connor Alan Brown, 22, of Cary, NC
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Marc Ethan Hasell, 22, of Cary, NC
-Possess Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Hubert Andrew Huffstetler, 29, of Asheville, NC
-Sell Alcoholic Beverages Without ABC Permits (Misdemeanor)

Dianna Mazziotto, 38, of Asheboro, NC
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Joseph Andrew Leto, 31, of Deerfield Beach, FL
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Joshua Fitzgerald, 38, of Mineral, VA
-Sell Alcoholic Beverages Without ABC Permits (Misdemeanor)

Kevin Alexander Baringer, 28, of Knightdale, NC
-Possess Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Willis Maxwell Tew, 24, of Pinehurst, NC
-Sell a Mixed Beverage to an Underage Person (Misdemeanor)

Katherine Kehoe, 20, of Apex, NC
-Underage Possession of a Malt Beverage (Misdemeanor)

Joseph Allen Okabuena, 22, of Raeford NC
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Kimberly Ann Murphy, 24, of Gaston, SC
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)

John Ekinci, 29, of Salem, VA
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Mark William Case, 49, of Santa Cruz, CA
-PWISD a counterfeit controlled substance (bath salts)
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)

Roger William Gray, 35, of Raleigh, NC
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Nicholas Daniel Beto, 25, of Lititz, PA
-Possess Schedule II Controlled Substance (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Schedule IV (Misdemeanor)
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Austin Hunter Brown, 21, of Virginia Beach, VA
-Aid and abet underage (Misdemeanor)

Timothy Ryan Acheson, 36, of Denver, CO
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Christopher Mullins, 36, of Rocherster, NY
-Sell alcoholic beverages without permit (Misdemeanor)

Dylan Alexander English, 22, of Morongo Valley, CA
-Sell alcoholic beverages without permit (Misdemeanor)

Thomas Curtis, 48, of Bena, VA
-Give malt beverage to underage (Misdemeanor)

Alyssa Caroline Richter, 19, of Crestwood, KY
-Sell alcoholic beverages without permit (Misdemeanor)
-Possess a malt beverage underage (Misdemeanor)

Stephen Walter Pakral, 29, of Denver, CO
-Sell alcoholic beverages without permit (Misdemeanor)

Joshua Thomas Harris, 31, of Fairfield, OH
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)

Matthew Robert Luty, 40, of Durham, NC
-Sell alcoholic beverages without a permit (Misdemeanor)

Benjamin Lee Wilson, 28, of Lexington, NC
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Mason Riley Brown, 17, of Virginia Beach, VA
-Possess malt beverage underage (Misdemeanor)

Matthew Ryan Beckelwimer, 33, of Wilmington, NC
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)

Marcus Obrian Hill, 38, of Raleigh, NC
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)

John Joseph Jarrell, 38, of Asheboro, NC
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)
Michael Joseph Gardner, 53, of Durham, NC
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Justin Gregory  Rawlings, 38, of Charlotte, NC
-Possess for sale alcoholic beverages without permit (Misdemeanor)
-Sell alcoholic beverages without permit (Misdemeanor)

Johathan Stivers Bowling, 43, of Greenville, NC
-Possess for sale alcoholic beverages without a permit (Misdemeanor)
-Sell alcoholic beverages without a permit (Misdemeanor)

Charles Horvath, 20, of Charlotte, NC
-Possess a malt beverage underage (Misdemeanor)

Joseph Legoullon, 35, of Raleigh, NC
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Dustin Stern, 36, of Moundsville, WV
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)

Derek Smith, 25, of La Grange, NC
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Schedule IV Controlled Substance (Misdemeanor)
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)

Jessie Lowder, 23, of Greensboro, NC
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)

Michaelle L Mcreed, 42, of Southbridge, MA
-Possess for sale alcoholic beverages without permit (Misdemeanor)
-Sell alcoholic beverages without permit (Misdemeanor)

Bradley Hamilton Corpening, 31, of Wilmington, NC
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess marijuana in a detention center

Jonathan David Leeds, 25, of Durham, NC
-Possess Schedule I Controlled Substance (LSD)

Kristofer Richard Barringer, 33, of Knightdale, NC
-Possess drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
-Possess marijuana (Misdemeanor)
-Possess Schedule I Controlled Substance
-Possess for sale alcoholic beverages without permit (Misdemeanor)

ALE agents have the authority to arrest and take investigatory action for any criminal offense.  Their primary responsibility is the enforcement of Alcoholic Beverage Control laws and state lottery laws.

###