Salvation Army

The Local Skinny! Salvation Army

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Major Beth Mallard is the Salvation Army’s new Corps officer serving at the Henderson location.

The organization made the announcement in mid-June; Mallard is one of a couple of dozen corps officers that assumed their new assignments across the Carolinas.

Mallard succeeds the husband-wife team of Captains Joshua and Amanda Keaton, who served at the local Salvation Army for about two years before accepting new roles as district youth secretaries for the organization’s Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi district.

The Salvation Army’s mission is to meet human needs in the name of Jesus Christ.  In addition to having church services at the Rock Mill Road facility, the Salvation Army also runs a food pantry, after-school program and a Family Store & Donation Center at 218 Raleigh Rd.

There will be a huge furniture sale on Saturday, Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m at the site of the former family store at 222 W. Montgomery St.

Tune in at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13 when Maj. Mallard will be a guest on TownTalk.

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The Local Skinny!: Police Chief Barrow Updates Two Murder Cases

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Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow said a months-long murder investigation has resulted in a suspect being taken into custody in California.

“After slightly over three months of tireless effort from our investigative division, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, we are relieved to say that Antarious Tebron Harrington, age 28, has been taken into custody by the U.S. Marshal Service in California,” Barrow said in a written statement to WIZS News late Wednesday.

The shooting occurred on the evening of Apr. 15 during an altercation on Julia Avenue. Alston was taken to a local medical facility, where he later died.

At the time of the shooting, local police investigators obtained warrants for Harrington’s arrest, who was then out on pre-trial release on felony drug charges.

Further details were not immediately available.

Henderson police also have made two additional arrests in another shooting death that happened last week.

Christopher Joyner, 26, died on July 25. Police found Joyner in his car and discovered that he had suffered a gunshot wound. The car was located in the roadway between Beck Avenue and Ford Street on West Andrews Avenue.

 

Police arrested Qui’terrious Alston, 23, and Jadda-kyss Alston, 21, both of Henderson, in connection with the incident. Each was charged with First Degree Murder and placed at the Vance County Detention Facility without privilege of bond.
“We are tremendously grateful of our community for providing assistance in this investigation,” Barrow said in a statement to WIZS News. “Your continued support is making a difference.”

Nineteen-year-old Jah-meer Spann, of Henderson,  was arrested earlier and also charged with murder. He was remanded to the Vance County Jail without privilege of bond.

 

Home And Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • Farmer’s Market
  • Fall Gardens
  • Water in the garden
  • Insect control
  • Food Preservation 

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The Local Skinny! Vance County Schools New App Student Information System

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Vance County Schools is among a group of public school districts and charter schools across the state in Phase 1 of a new student information system.

NC Student Information System – NC SIS – is coming on line over the next couple of years, and Vance County parents and students are among the first test drive the new system powered by Infinite Campus.

VCS Chief Officer of Communication & Innovative Support Aarika Sandlin and Chief Officer of Technology Marsha Abbott discussed the changeover and what it will entail on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

Sandlin said families will no longer use the PowerSchool app, and should upload the Infinite Parent app available through the Apple Store or Google Play. Students, likewise, will download the Infinite Student app.

Abbott said each of the programs contains a wealth of tools for students and parents to use, from accessing attendance, to online assignments and grades, and more.

The new system will allow parents to enroll students online, eliminating the need to  travel to the central office.

“Our goal is to make things as accessible as possible,” Sandlin said, “with no barriers.”

Parents still have the option of enrolling their child in person, but they will no longer be required to do so, if they have the app on their mobile device.

“We are not taking away any form of communication,” she added, “we’re simply adding ways.”

Abbott said the new system also allows for communication with teachers and parents, at any point during the year, can update information such as phone numbers and address to maintain the most updated information.

Visit the school’s Facebook page to find out more or visit https://www.vcs.k12.nc.us/  to learn about upcoming Open Houses for year-round schools and schools on the traditional calendar. Aug. 7 is the first day for year-round students; students in schools on traditional calendars return Aug. 26.

Find all three 2024-25 calendars at https://www.vcs.k12.nc.us/calendar 

 

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Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Program At Farmers Market Matches Funds To Boost Purchasing Power

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The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is filled with fresh local produce on Wednesdays and Saturdays, just waiting to be scooped up and featured on dinner tables across the area.

The market has added a couple of programs that other markets across the state are using to help seniors and others stretch their dollars. The SunBucks and Senior Double Up Food Bucks programs are both ways to encourage eating healthy foods while supporting local farmers and the local economy, said Vance County Cooperative Extension Director Dr. Wykia Macon.

“It seemed like a natural fit because we accept EBT at the Farmers Market and now with Double Bucks, when someone uses their EBT card, we match EBT purchases dollar-for-dollar,” Macon told WIZS News.

Those who use SunBucks and Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) will have their dollars doubled, too, she said.

“It came about after seeing other markets doing the program and realizing that we should be offering the same to our community,” Macon said.

“Since this is our first time with the program, we will learn as we go. Right now, we are limiting the match to $20 per day, so someone could visit the market on Wednesday and Saturday to receive up to $40 Double Bucks per week while we are open on Wednesdays.”

Triangle North Healthcare Foundation offers a grant that provides the matching funds, which, although not unlimited, will allow for many residents to use the benefits before the end of the market season, Macon explained.

Clearview Church Hosts ‘Night of Gospel Praise’ Aug. 4

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Clearview Church is hosting a “Night of Gospel Praise” Sunday evening, featuring Jimmy and the Sound Barriers among other performers who will present a Gaither-style concert to benefit Anchor of Hope.

The evening begins at Sunday, Aug. 4 at 6 p.m. at Clearview, located at 3485 Hwy. 158 Business. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

Barrier and wife Kay are just two of the individuals teaming up to put on the event. Kay leads the church’s Anchor of Hope ministry, which provides support to those near and far. The prayer group involves about 70 women who lay hands on and bless the blankets before they are delivered to those in need. It’s a symbol of God’s love, she said, and that those who have reached out for prayer are not alone.

“We try to reach out to people going through trials and storms in their life,” she said on Monday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

One aspect of the ministry involves praying over blankets that are distributed to those battling illness or other life-altering events.

In addition to the blankets, the ministry provides food gift cards and gas cards to help with essential items when disaster strikes.

“It’s a comfort to know that people are praying for you,” Jimmy Barrier said. The proceeds from the Sunday concert goes directly to the ministry.

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The Local Skinny! Pop The Hood: Batteries

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— For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.

 

Did you know that extreme heat can do a number on your car’s battery just like extreme cold can?

Being exposed to continuous heat – like the recent stretch of 90+ degree days – can drain your car’s battery, and that’s not good. In fact, extreme heat or extreme cold can increase your vehicle battery’s rate of discharge.

Turns out, a life of a battery in the North is between four and five years, but it’s only between two and three years for batteries in the South.

It’s a good idea to inspect your vehicle’s battery a couple of times a year to spot any unwelcome signs that you’re about to have a problem.

Drive in to an Advance Auto Parts to have a member of their team check your battery and charging system.

Without getting into the science behind how a battery actually works, let’s just say that the battery stores energy that is called on to start the engine when you turn the key – or push the button, in newer models.

When the cells inside the battery are fully charged, everything’s goo. But when they don’t all function, the battery isn’t going to produce enough volts to crank the engine. A process called sulfation reduces the battery’s ability to hold a full charge, which can lead to problems starting the engine.

Signs of a failing battery include:

  • engine cranks more slowly
  • white or blue corrosion at battery terminals
  • age of the battery
  • dim headlights with a yellow color instead of bright white
  • dim domelight or other interior dashboard lights
  • weak horn sound
  • swollen or cracked battery casing

A weakened battery doesn’t have to work as hard to turn over the engine when it’s warm outside, so drivers may not detect a problem until much later, when the outside temps drop. The battery has to work harder during colder seasons to crank the engine, so that could be why winter gets blamed for killing batteries. Let the professional staff at Advance Auto Parts help you select a battery that is right for your vehicle needs.

The information contained in this post is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS.  Safety First!  Always seek proper help.  This is presented for its informational value only and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship.

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Home And Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  •  Farmer’s Market
  • Soil Samples
  • Plan now for fall gardens
  • Check garden for flooding
  • Insects in the garden
  • Food preservation techniques
  • Teach children about gardening

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The Local Skinny! State Of NC Focusing On Crime Prevention

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– information courtesy of the N.C. Department of Public Safety

The N.C. Department of Public Safety and the Department of Health and Human Services recently released a timeline of violence prevention initiatives that reflect the whole-of-government partnership launched last year with the formation of the state’s first Office of Violence Prevention.

“We must continue to work to make our communities safer and reduce crime by investing in the programs and interventions proven to work,” said Gov. Roy Cooper. “Last year we launched the Office of Violence Prevention to foster collaboration between public health and law enforcement professionals across North Carolina to reduce violence and make our communities safer.”

Siarra Scott has been named acting director of the office, which brings together law enforcement, public health officials, community groups and other state and local partners to apply a public health approach to violence prevention. It’s an approach endorsed by a new advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General and adopted by a growing network of local Offices of Violence Prevention springing up in communities across the state.

“June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month, and we know that from 2019 to 2021, children in North Carolina were more likely to die as a result of firearm misuse than a car accident,” Scott said in a press release. “I’m honored to partner with leaders across the state who are looking for new ways to ensure the safety and health of our communities.”

Cooper created the Office of Violence Prevention through Executive Order 279. The office is a partnership between the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Health and Human Services.

“Law enforcement and public safety officials cannot walk this path alone,” said N.C. Public Safety Secretary Eddie M. Buffaloe Jr. “Our partnership with DHHS is helping the state identify the root causes of violence in our communities and plan an effective response that leverages criminal justice, healthcare, social services and economic resources.”

“Violence and poor health outcomes are fundamentally driven by many of the same factors — lack of food, transportation, housing, and other basic needs,” said N.C. Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “Working together we can save lives by ensuring all North Carolinians have access to healthcare, social services and other critical resources. Using a data-driven approach and collaborating on strategies that work, we are increasing firearm storage options and improving access to critical resources, including mental health and substance use-disorder services.”

The report highlights 2023 and 2024 accomplishments that include:

  • Establishing the Office of Violence Prevention and a 24-member Community Violence Advisory Board through Executive Order 279.
  • Launching and growing  NC S.A.F.E., a public awareness campaign that promotes safe storage of firearms. Efforts include the distribution of almost 50,000 firearm storage devices to North Carolinians.
  • Leveraging federal funding to support hospital and community-based violence intervention programs and working to extend Medicaid funding to cover violence interruption services.
  • Partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to revive federal Project Safe Neighborhood funding for violence prevention.
  • Improving access to healthcare for more than 600,000 North Carolinians through Medicaid expansion.
  • Collaborating across state agencies to provide re-entry services for formerly incarcerated people, as established by Executive Order No. 303, directing whole-of-government coordination of services.
  • Advancing suicide prevention initiatives, including collaboration with local firearm safety teams, suicide prevention teams and faith leaders.

To learn more about the partnerships that are helping North Carolina develop a comprehensive response to violence, view the timeline of North Carolina Violence Prevention Activities.

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The Local Skinny! Chase Results In Arrest Of Local Man

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-Press release from the office of Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

On Friday, July 19 at approximately 1:30 p.m., the Vance County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the Granville County Sheriff’s Office for assistance in locating a wanted person, who has outstanding warrants for Felony Flee to Elude, and Assault with a Deadly Weapon on Government Official.

The wanted person was identified as Kevin Lassiter, 44. Lassiter was believed to be operating a black in color Kia Sorento in the Dabney area of Vance County.

Investigators with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office searched the area and located Lassiter on Nutbush Road in a gravel parking lot in the driver’s seat of the Kia Sorento.

Lassiter was approached by deputies at which point he put the vehicle in reverse and hit a marked Vance County Sheriff’s Office K9 patrol vehicle. Lassiter was able to get out of the lot and led Deputies on a vehicle chase. The chase went in the direction of Kerr Lake. After entering the Kerr Lake Recreation Area, Lassiter collided with a parked truck and boat trailer. The chase continued across Vance County through the Dabney, Watkins and Bearpond communities with speeds averaging between 60 and 70 miles per hour.

Multiple attempts to deploy tire deflation devices were conducted by law enforcement but were unsuccessful. The chase ended on Gillburg Road after a successful PIT maneuver. As a result of the PIT maneuver, the vehicle crashed. Lassiter was taken into custody without further incident and was transported to Maria Parham Hospital with minor injuries. Lassiter was ultimately transported to the Vance County Magistrates Office where he was served with the outstanding warrants from Granville County and additional charges from Vance County.

Lassiter was held without bond for the new charges of:

 

  • 4 counts of AWDW on Government Official
  • Felony Flee to Elude with a Motor Vehicle
  • Resisting Public Officer
  • 2 counts of Injury to Personal Property

Lassiter also charged with DWI by the North Carolina Highway Patrol, as well as multiple charges by the N.C. Department of Parks and Recreation.

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