Local News - WIZS

VGCC names new Dean of Warren Campus

August 20, 2015/by John C. Rose

Lyndon Hall was recently named Dean of Vance-Granville Community College’s Warren County Campus. In his new leadership role, Hall is responsible for supervising all operations at the satellite campus in Warrenton, including both the curriculum and continuing education courses offered there.

A Durham resident, Hall has been a member of the college’s staff since 2009. In fact, his new posting marks a return to the location where his VGCC career began, as the Warren Campus Coordinator and college liaison for Warren Early College High School. From 2010 through 2015, Hall served as director of Joint High School Programs for VGCC. In that capacity, he supervised all VGCC programs offered to high school students in four counties through Early College partnerships with local school systems as well as Career and College Promise (CCP) pathways. Hall also advised individual students and served as an adjunct instructor at times.

“This is truly an exciting time at Vance-Granville Community College, and I am thrilled about the opportunity to lead an outstanding group of individuals at the Warren Campus as we serve our community,” Hall said. He noted that he had been in positions of service for practically his entire working life, “serving first our country as a member of our armed forces and now our Warren County community as a member of the team at Vance-Granville.”

Hall served for over 21 years in the United States Air Force, including stints at the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph Air Force Base in Texas and at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where he was Director of Personnel for the 33rd Fighter Wing. He moved to North Carolina to become an Air Force Junior ROTC instructor at Northern Durham High School.

Hall holds an associate degree from Texas Lutheran College, associate and bachelor’s degrees in Human Services from Wayland Baptist University, and a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from the same university. Hall is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration through Northeastern University.

“Every student who comes to us has a dream,” Hall said. “It is my desire to meet them where they are and support them in their efforts to design a plan that helps them discover all of the possibilities that await them.”

VGCC’s Warren Campus is home to Warren Early College High School and also offers Adult Basic Skills classes, Occupational Healthcare programs, Small Business Center seminars, Heavy Equipment Operator, Horsemanship, and curriculum courses in subjects that include Cosmetology and Office Administration.

“I am excited to have Mr. Hall serving in this capacity,” said Dr. Angela Ballentine, VGCC’s vice president of academic and student affairs. “He continues to positively contribute to the Academic & Student Affairs team, as he leads our efforts to educate, inspire and support students in the Warren County area.”

Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest of Wanted Warren County Man

August 17, 2015/by John C. Rose

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.

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NCDOT Employee Saves Driver’s Life

August 16, 2015/by John C. Rose

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.

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

August 15, 2015/by John C. Rose

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.

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June Employment Figures Released

August 1, 2015/by John C. Rose

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 95 of North Carolina’s counties in June, decreased in four counties, and remained unchanged in one county.

Graham County had the highest unemployment rate at 12.3 percent while Buncombe County had the lowest at 4.7 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the Metro areas, Rocky Mount at 8.9 percent experienced the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 5.0 percent. The June not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 6.1 percent.

The full release is available here.

Vance County has a labor force of 17,988 with 1,683 unemployed, giving you a rate of 9.4 percent. Granville County has 28,513 workers with 1,563 out of work, giving you a rate of 5.5 percent. Warren County employs 7,250 with 653 out of work, giving you an unemployment rate of 9.0 percent. Just south in Franklin County, there are 29,134 in the labor force with 1,795 out of a job, giving you a rate of 6.2 percent.

Vance County’s unemployment rate increased .6 percent from May to June. May’s figure was 8.8 percent, while June’s is 9.4. The unemployment rate in June of 2014 was 9.6 percent, meaning a .2 percent decrease when compared to one year ago.

Vance County has the fifth worst unemployment rate in the state with Graham, Scotland, Edgecombe and Wilson Counties respectively being the four counties with the worst rates.