St. Paul’s Lutheran Church located at 114 Poplar Mount Road in Norlina will be having a gigantic indoor yard and bake sale on Saturday, March 2, 2019, from 7 a.m. until noon.
There will be clothes, cookbooks, and lots of miscellaneous items. Bake sale items will feature a number of yeast breads and rolls, cookies and pies.
Profits from the sale will be used to help fund a mission trip to a remote village in Alaska.
-Press Release, NCDOT
The N.C Division of Motor Vehicles will start using new technology to protect people from identity fraud by making sure people have a driver license in only one state at a time.
Beginning Feb. 25, NCDMV will start using the State-to-State Verification Service to confirm a person’s identity and driving history from other states. The service, which is outlined in the federal REAL ID Act, requires a person to have only one driver license or ID card in one state at a time.
With State-to-State, NCDMV can determine if applicants already hold a driver license or ID card in another state and verify important driving information such as suspended licenses. After a North Carolina driver license or ID card is issued, any out-of-state issuances will be canceled. If an applicant does not want to cancel the out-of-state issuance, they will not be issued a North Carolina driver license or ID card.
All existing North Carolina driver license and ID card issuances will be checked for duplicate issuances in the 21 states already participating in the program. More states are expected to join the program through 2022. NCDMV estimates more than 210,000 North Carolina customers have duplicate issuances in other states.
NCDMV will reconcile duplicate issuances with each state using the service to determine which issuance will be canceled. The state with the most recent issuance will hold the valid license or ID card.
Currently, the following states are using the service:
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
To update the NCDMV system for State-to-State implementation, all driver license offices will be closed on Saturday, February 23, 2019. Online driver services will be unavailable from 7 a.m. Saturday, February 23 until 3 p.m. Sunday, February 24.
State-to-State is administered by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. For more information on State-to-State, visit the AAMVA website.
-Press Release, U.S. Dept. of Justice
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States criminal defense Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announced today that his office collected over $13.5 million in criminal and civil actions in fiscal year 2018. Of this amount, $8,410,643.89 was collected in criminal actions and $5,113,040.40 was collected in civil actions. Additionally, over $4.6 million was collected in asset forfeitures.
The Eastern District of North Carolina also collaborated with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $13,983.13. Of this amount, $5,733.13 was collected in criminal actions and $8,250 was collected in civil actions.
Overall, the Justice Department collected nearly $15 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2018. The $14,839,821,650 in Fiscal Year 2018 collections is nearly seven times the appropriated $2.13 billion ($2,136,750,000) budget for the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ offices, reported this site of a top attorney firm.
“The men and women of the U.S. Attorneys’ offices across the country work diligently, day in and day out, to see that the citizens of our nation receive justice. The money that we are able to recover for victims and this country as a whole is a direct result of their hard work,” Director James A. Crowell, IV, Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys.
In the past fiscal year, the Eastern District of North Carolina has returned millions of dollars to crime victims. For example, in United States v. Justin Lawrence Daniel, over $2.3 million was recovered for victims of the defendant’s criminal conduct. In United States v. Mittesh Das, $750,000 was recovered for victim restitution and paid at the time of sentencing.
The District has also recovered significant taxpayer money lost to fraud or other misconduct, collected civil fines imposed for violations of federal law, and collected civil debts owed to various federal agencies. For example, in United States v. Physicians Pharmacy Alliance, $1.7 million was recovered for the Health and Human Services’ Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services and for the North Carolina Medicaid Program. The United States has recovered an initial payment of $750,000 from Rouseco, Inc, toward a $5.8 million judgment in United States v. Rouseco, Inc.
“We will use every available tool to aggressively collect victim restitution and criminal fines, and recover a lot more taxpayer dollars that are either lost to fraud or otherwise owed to government agencies,” said Mr. Higdon. “Asset forfeiture also serves important law enforcement interests, and we will continue to aggressively forfeit the proceeds of crime and the assets used to facilitate it. We are proud of the men and women in our office who dedicate themselves each and every day to ensuring justice through their collection efforts. They are to be congratulated for their tremendously successful efforts.”
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s web page at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_EDNC.
-Information courtesy Tannis Jenkins, Warren County High School
Warren County High School is sponsoring an “Around the World” International Fair on Thursday, February 21, 2019, from 4-6 p.m. in the school’s gymnasium. The public is invited to participate.
The school is located at 149 Campus Dr. in Warrenton, NC.
If you have any questions about the event, please contact Valeria Rodriguez at (252) 257-4413.
-Press Release, North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will offer grant assistance to convenience stores interested in offering healthier food options to those living in one of the state’s 349 food deserts. The funding is a part of the Healthy Food Small Retailer Program.
“The goal of the Healthy Food Small Retailer program is to help bring more healthy, locally grown food options to the 1.5 million people impacted by food deserts in North Carolina,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Convenience stores are integral parts of fighting food insecurity in local communities.”
The Healthy Food Small Retailer Program, which is administered by the department, was established in the 2016 state budget bill (HB 1030). The 2019 program will reimburse participating stores for refrigeration, freezer and stocking equipment needed to offer healthier items.
Store owners have until March 4, 2019, to apply for priority consideration. Applications will continue to be accepted until March 31, subject to availability of funds.
In addition to being in a food desert (online search available at www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/), store owners applying for funding under HFSRP must meet the following criteria:
Interested store owners can find more information about the program and download an application at www.ncagr.gov/HealthyRetailer.
In addition, store owners may call 919-707-3173 or email HealthyRetailer@ncagr.gov.
-Information and flyer courtesy NC Cooperative Extension – Warren County Center
The Warren County Cooperative Extension Office is looking for local women with children to participate in a volunteer focus group on Wednesday, February 13, 2019, from 6 to 7 p.m.
Participants will provide the Poe Center, a health education organization, with feedback related to nutrition and physical activity in the community. Feedback provided will help prepare programs and health messages for Warren County.
The focus group will be held at the Warren County Cooperative Extension Office located at 158 Rafters Lane in Warrenton, NC.
Participants will receive a water bottle, tote bag, cooking magazine and magnet.
-Press Release, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
High Point Halal Meats in High Point is voluntarily recalling all production lots of chicken, lamb and beef products because they were produced without benefit of required inspections.
“Inspectors with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Meat and Poultry Inspection Division discovered uninspected meat and poultry products in commerce,” said Dr. Beth Yongue, director of the Meat and Poultry Inspection Division. This is a Class I recall where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death. Customers who purchased these products are urged not to consume them.”
The following products are subject to recall:
All chicken, lamb and beef products bearing a “High Point Halal Meats” label.
These items were shipped to retail stores within North Carolina. These products bear an NCDA inspection legend with the establishment number P-318.
Throw away these products or return them to the place of purchase. Consumers with questions about High Point Halal Meats products can call the facility at 336-802-0620 during business hours.
There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.
-Information and flyer courtesy NC Cooperative Extension – Warren County Center
Back by Popular Demand…we had a BLAST last year…seats are limited!
When: Saturday, February 23, 2019
Where: Wintergreen Resort, Wintergreen, VA
Cost: $30 per person
Registration deadline: February 14; call 252-257-3640, or sign up via 4HOnline.
Who: Ages 9-18; children 5-8 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited to 20.
-Information courtesy the Warren County Cooperative Extension Office
The recent federal government shutdown left federal employees, and people on government assistance (SNAP, EBT, etc.), vulnerable. Due to the shutdown, the food stamps that were meant for the month of February were issued in January. There was confusion, and many utilized the food stamps in the month of January while they had to last through February.
With this situation, and the possibility of another shutdown on the horizon, the marginalized and food insecure citizens of our community are particularly vulnerable. We can predict a high need of resources from the food pantry towards the end of February.
Every year, North Carolina A&T Cooperative Extension encourages its agents to host a food drive to celebrate Small Farms Week in March. While it is early, I believe that the need is more pertinent now, and the impact will be much greater if we began the food drive now.
If you are interested in making a donation, please bring it to the Warren County Cooperative Extension Office – 158 Rafters Ln, Warrenton, contact (252) 257-3640 or email wllandis@ncsu.edu.
Thank you! We look forward to your donations.
– William Landis, Extension Agent
-Information courtesy Katrina Reid, Christian Women Working Together of Oak Level United Church of Christ
We extend an invitation to all churches to come join us in celebrating “100 Women In Red” (men and children are also welcome) on Sunday, February 17, 2019, at 3 p.m., 5631 Jacksontown Road, Manson, NC 27553.
Theme: “Boldness Through The Blood of Jesus”
Guest Speaker: Reverend Natasha Lewis from Temple of Deliverance Church, Henderson, NC.
We pray that you will have an opportunity to fellowship with us on that Sunday. We thank you in advance for your presence.
For more information, please contact Sis. Rayenna Wimbush at (252) 915-6316.
