Sept. is National Preparedness Month: Does Your Small Business Have a Disaster Plan?

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-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce’s “Focus” newsletter – July/August 2018

September is National Preparedness Month. For small business owners, being prepared can mean the difference between staying in business or not following a disaster. The Small Business Administration can assist your business from the planning stages to recovery. Below are the steps they list for Emergency Preparedness. These are each covered at a more in-depth level on the SBA website at www.SBA.gov.

Disaster Planning

Small business owners invest a tremendous amount of time, money and resources to make their ventures successful, yet many owners fail to properly plan and prepare for disaster situations. According to the Institute for Business and Home Safety, an estimated 25 percent of businesses do not reopen following a major disaster. You can protect your business by identifying the risks associated with natural and man-made disasters, and by creating a plan for action should a disaster strike. By keeping those plans updated, you can help ensure the survival of your business. A great place to start is the SBA’s Small Business Disaster Preparedness Guide on the web.

Disaster Assistance

Disaster can strike at any time, and even the most prepared businesses can be adversely impacted. If your business has been impacted by a disaster, the SBA can help by providing disaster assistance.

Disaster Cleanup

Taking the proper cleanup precautions means you can get back to business sooner. Explore some important tips and advice to help you get back on your feet safely.

SBA’s Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Plan

This plan lays out an overall plan for the Disaster Loan Program, both for smaller scale events when ODA resources easily meet demand and for larger scale ones requiring greater participation from all agency resources.

State Government Information

State governments relay pertinent information to businesses affected by disasters and offer a number of services to help businesses prepare and recover from disasters. Learn more about your state.

Strickland Named Rebuilding Hope’s Sept. Volunteer in the Spotlight

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-Information courtesy the September 2018 Rebuilding Hope, Inc. Newsletter

Jeffrey Strickland is a relative newcomer to the volunteer ranks at Rebuilding Hope. A resident of the Inez community in Warren County, he began lending a helping hand at RHI in May.

Jeffrey Strickland was named Rebuilding Hope, Inc. Volunteer in the Spotlight for September. (Photo: Rebuilding Hope)

Jeffrey, a graduate of Dillard Road Academy, says he learned about the opportunity at RHI through one of his mother’s coworkers. The coworker is also a volunteer.

Jeffrey, like most RHI volunteers, helps with the annual Servants on Site and pitches in at the warehouse wherever he’s needed. “Ministry work is a good thing to do,” he says of his decision to volunteer. “Helping communities around the area is rewarding.”

Jeffrey’s hobbies and leisure time activities include woodworking, hunting and fishing, or, he says, “anything outdoors.” A member of Centerville Baptist Church, he serves in the worship services by running the soundboard.

Jeffrey is the son of Greg and Donna Smith and David Strickland. He has a sister, Makayla.

Warren Co. Chamber to Host Business After Hours at Historic Jacob Holt House

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— courtesy The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County | Kathleen “Rose” Deering, President~ 252-257-2657 ~ info@warren-chamber.org ~ Facebook

You’re invited to the Chamber of Commerce of Warren County’s free Business After Hours event on Thursday, September 13, 2018, from 6 to 8 p.m. This seasonal event, sponsored by members of the Chamber, will be held at the historic Jacob Holt House in Warrenton.

Hors-d’oeuvres, wine, beer and soft drinks will be served. Please RSVP by email to info@warren-chamber.org by September 7.

This is a wonderful opportunity to network with other businesses. There will be raffle tickets available for a chance to win a free dinner at one of our wonderful restaurants!

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Town of Warrenton to Hold Family Movie Night in Historic Courthouse Square

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— courtesy The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County | Kathleen “Rose” Deering, President~ 252-257-2657 ~ info@warren-chamber.org ~ Facebook

The Town of Warrenton will hold a family movie night on Saturday, September 1, 2018, starting at 8:15 p.m. in the Historic Courthouse Square, 109 S. Main St., Warrenton. Disney’s “A Wrinkle In Time” (rated PG) will be the featured presentation.

Admission is free; popcorn and refreshments will be for sale. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy an evening of family fun.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

 

Davis Pleads Guilty to Second Degree Murder of Pressley

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-Press Release, Office of District Attorney Mike Waters

Warrenton, NC – Marquis Davis pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder and Assault with a Deadly Weapon with the Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury, in the 2015 murder of Michael Pressley in Warren County. The acts occurred in the early morning hours of August 9, 2015, when six men from Oxford, including Michael Pressley and Jerry Henderson, traveled to the Connect 25 nightclub in Warren County.

As the six men were leaving Connect 25, they were fired upon by individuals traveling in a GMC Sierra truck driven by Marquis Davis and also occupied by Kadeem Grooms, Darren Alston and Montrell Davis. Michael Pressley, a passenger in a Chevy Tahoe, was shot and died as a result of his wounds. Jerry Henderson, the driver of the Chevy Tahoe, was shot in the back and was treated for his injuries at Maria Parham Hospital.

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Henry W. Hight, Jr. sentenced Mr. Davis to 157-201 months active in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction. This case was scheduled for trial the week of September 4, 2018, in Warren County Criminal Superior Court, however, the plea was entered in Vance County Criminal Case Management Court on Thursday, August 23, 2018. Darren Alston and Montrell Davis previously plead in the matter, and Kadeem Grooms was convicted by a Warren County jury of First Degree Murder and related charges during the week of April 30, 2018.

This matter was investigated by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

American Flag

NC National Guard Offers College Tuition & Loan Repayment Assistance

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Several members of the NC National Guard were on WIZS’ Town Talk program Thursday to discuss the requirements and process of becoming a “citizen-soldier” in the reserve branch of the U.S. Army.

According to Master Sergeant Key, a team leader out of the Raleigh/Cary area, the majority of young men and women who enlist in the National Guard serve in a reserve capacity consisting of service one weekend a month and annual training two weeks during the summer.

This schedule gives the recruit the flexibility to pursue college studies while receiving federal tuition assistance up to $4,000 per year. The Reserve Montgomery GI Bill will also pay approximately $373 per month to full-time college students.

Those who have already received a college degree may qualify for the student loan program for repayment up to $50,000 of total debt amount. They will also receive opos debt help along with the loan for easier repayments.

Potential recruits must pass an aptitude test, a physical and have limited law violations. Once passed, initial recruits participate in a Recruit Sustainment Program one weekend a month to prepare for success in the Army’s 10-week Basic Training.

The second phase of the initial training is referred to as Advanced Individual Training (AIT) and involves learning a specific job skill.

The National Guard is currently offering up to $20,000 in enlistment bonuses for specific jobs including transportation specialist, engineer, military police, artillery and supplies specialist.

Fully-trained soldiers in the National Guard have the distinction of being able to return to their own hometown to serve. “What is unique about the National Guard is that those that complete their training return to their own community where they serve in a traditional guard setting as a citizen-soldier,” said Key.

The National Guard has a dual-obligation to the state and to the Federal Government. “As far as the state mission, we could be called to respond to hurricanes, floods, other natural disasters and civil unrest. The governor could call us into action to support our local community and state,” Key said.

“The federal component is tied to the U.S. Army, if they needed assistance with missions overseas, they could call on the NC National Guard.”

Each state and U.S. territory has a National Guard, with the NC branch being 10,000 soldiers strong. For more information, please contact the local recruiter at (919) 622-1327 or visit the NC National Guard website.

Warren Co. Wildcats 8u Softball to Hold 220 Fundraiser, Mon., Aug. 27

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The Warren County Wildcats 8u Softball Team will hold a fundraiser at 220 Seafood Restaurant on Monday, August 27, 2018, from 4 to 7 p.m.

$7.00 per plate. Eat in or take out.

Dinner includes fried trout, french fries, cole slaw and hushpuppies. Drink included for eat-in only. Glad to serve walk-ins.

Proceeds to benefit the Warren County Wildcats 8u Softball Team.

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Wilson Re-Elected President of Rebuilding Hope, Inc.

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-Information courtesy Rebuilding Hope, Inc.

Randolph Wilson of Kittrell was re-elected president of Rebuilding Hope, Inc. (RHI).

Also re-elected were Bill Overby of Warrenton, secretary; and Walt Slaton of Oxford, treasurer. Overby also was elected to a second three-year term on the board of directors.

Vann Wester of Louisburg was elected vice president and to a first three-year term on the board.

Robert Burnett of Manson was elected to a first three-year term on the board, and Steve Timberlake of Oxford was elected to serve out the unexpired term of a board member who recently moved from the area.

The officers and directors took office August 14, 2018.

RHI, headquartered in Henderson, is a faith-based ministry that uses home repairs to meet physical needs and shares the love of Christ.

Randolph Wilson of Kittrell was recently re-elected president of Rebuilding Hope, Inc.

U.S. Department of Justice

Edenton Man Sentenced for Armed Bank Robbery

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that MICHAEL RANKINS, 55, of Edenton, was sentenced by United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan for armed bank robbery and aiding and abetting. Judge Flanagan sentenced RANKINS to 135 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release.

RANKINS was charged in a one-count indictment on March 18, 2014, along with his co-defendant William Chadwick Twine. Twine pled guilty on July 9, 2014, and was sentenced on July 10, 2015, to 90 months imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release. RANKINS pled guilty on February 8, 2018.

On January 9, 2014, RANKINS and Twine entered a Wells Fargo Bank in Windsor, North Carolina. As he entered the bank, RANKINS pulled a toboggan over his face with eye holes cut out. He pointed a BB gun at the teller, and he and Twine threatened the teller and demanded money. The teller provided them with $10,465, and the two men ran from the bank to their nearby get-away car. Witnesses relayed to law enforcement the direction the suspects had driven, and officers were soon able to catch up to the suspect’s vehicle and attempt a traffic stop. RANKINS and Twine, however, continued to flee at a high speed, eventually losing control of the car and running off the road and into a field. Both men ran from the stopped car and were quickly apprehended. Officers recovered the stolen money, mask, and BB gun from the car.

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 Windsor Police Department, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Jake D. Pugh represented the government in this case.

News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s webpage at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_EDNC

McGregor Hall

Henderson Rec Players Present ‘Clybourne Park’ at McGregor Hall, Aug. 9-12

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-Information courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

The Henderson Rec Players will present “Clybourne Park” by Bruce Norris at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center nightly August 9-11 at 8 p.m. and August 12 at 2 p.m.

Winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award for Best Play, “Clybourne Park” is a satire about the politics of race that will be directed by Stephanie Asabi Howard. In response to Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun,” playwright Bruce Norris set up his work as a pair of scenes that bookend Hansberry’s piece and are set in the same modest bungalow on Chicago’s northwest side.

In 1959, Russ and Bev move out to the suburbs after the tragic death of their son. Inadvertently, they sell their house to the neighborhood’s first black family. Fifty years later in 2009, the roles are reversed when a young white couple buys the lot in what is now a predominantly black neighborhood, signaling a new wave of gentrification. In both instances, a community showdown takes place, pitting race against real estate with this home as the battleground.

Tickets are available for $16 at the McGregor Hall Box Office, 201 Breckenridge St. in Henderson, by calling (252) 598-0662 or visiting www.mcgregorhall.org. Doors open one hour before the show.

(This is not a paid advertisement)