It’s budget time for Vance County, and the Vance County Board of Commissioners met Monday night and Tuesday night for more than four combined hours in budget sessions.
A priority emerged Tuesday night, and that is adding about $250,000 in additional funding to the proposed upcoming county fiscal year budget to provide additional manpower to Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame’s Office and his efforts at the jail.
In simplified terms, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office gets three more deputies and another lieutenant, while the Vance County Jail gets two more personnel to help with reducing workloads and safety concerns for jail employees and prison transports. To be clear, two deputy positions were in the originally proposed budget and now an additional deputy and an additional lieutenant are set to be added to the proposed budget.
After lengthy discussion by the board, Brame was asked to speak.
He said, “Vance County is a hub for heroin.” He said that hub was in Durham and now it is here. He said he needed more support and manpower to fix the problem. He said, “Nobody is dealing from home. If you see two cars meet in the street, they’re passing dope.”
Commissioner Tommy Hester said as he understood it, about $122,500 would fund two more deputy positions.
Commission Chair Archie Taylor said there appeared to be a consensus on the board to do more for the sheriff and said the money needed to be found.
Commissioner Leo Kelly raised the point of increasing the tax rate by a penny because it would generate about $287,000 and that would eliminate the squeeze on other parts of the budget.
As to the jail, it was stated that $90,000 would fund two more positions.
All present commissioners, and all but one was present, agreed and directed County Manager Jordan McMillan to find the necessary $250,000. It may come from the general fund, a tax increase, other cuts and by finding other priorities and making cuts.
Commissioner Dan Brummitt said, “The board has made the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and jail a priority.” He said it was in the best interest of public safety and for the county to move forward.
Commissioner Gordon Wilder said, “We have a new sheriff and we want to support him.”
As to the other public safety concern, the much ballhooed fire protection plans, the next public opportunity to hear about that comes Tuesday, May 28th. In a press release, the Commission board has announced that the location of the public safety committee meeting on the 28th has been changed to the Perry Library’s Farm Bureau room (205 Breckenridge Street). The time is 6 p.m.
The fire coverage discussion at this time is centered around the proposed 2.3 cents increase in the fire tax rate, how the fire tax monies are used, the equitable distribution of funds to the volunteer departments, the provision for two paid positions in each volunteer department funded by the county, except at Epsom and Drewry who get one paid firefighter, and the additional debate about the future of the Vance County Fire Department and, stillmore, the future of the Vance County Rescue Squad.
There are more questions than answers and the commissioners appear to be stuck in the details without actually having fully decided if broader, more full scale changes are needed.
Durham Woman Sentenced for Heroin Distribution in Henderson
/by WIZS Staff-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice
The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announces that United States District Judge James C. Dever, III sentenced DOMINQUE RUSSELL, 30, of Durham to 24 months of imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.
On December 28, 2018, RUSSELL pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin.
On January 21, 2018, and January 28, 2018, officers with the Henderson Police Department (HPD) utilized a confidential source to conduct controlled buys of heroin from the occupants at 521 Spring Court in Henderson, North Carolina.
On January 31, 2018, law enforcement executed a search warrant on the home. In the room belonging to Jermill Blacknall (in federal custody awaiting Arraignment date) and RUSSELL, officers recovered a loaded rifle with two “banana clips” containing 27 and 28 rounds of ammunition, a 9mm 50-round magazine “drum” with 28 rounds, an empty Glock magazine in a Glock box (no gun), and identification belonging to Blacknall. A search of the remainder of the home revealed scales, a blender with white powder residue, 18.99 grams of heroin (in a car seat), and packaging material. Blacknall and RUSSELL’S two young children were also in the house.
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. Since 2017 the United States Department of Justice has reinvigorated the PSN program and has targeted 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.
That effort has been implemented through the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and the Henderson Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Dodson handled the prosecution of this case for the government.
News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s web page at https://justice.gov/usao-ednc. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_ENDC.
SHP Urges Motorists To Plan Ahead For Memorial Day Travel
/by WIZS Staff-Press Release, NCDPS
With an estimated 37.6 million motorists taking to the roadways, as reported by Accident Lawyer Dennis and Paul Grossman, this Memorial Day weekend, the State Highway Patrol is encouraging drivers to plan ahead before traveling.
Regardless of the intended destination, an increase in motor vehicle travel is expected which may lead to congestion on major interstate, US and NC highways. With this in mind, troopers will be out in full force to monitor driver behavior in an attempt to reduce collisions that occur from high speed, impaired and distracted driving, and lack of seat belt use. Using the Vision Zero approach, law enforcement officials hope to report zero fatal collisions throughout the holiday weekend.
In an attempt to discourage impaired driving on both roadways and waterways, SHP has combined forces with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission’s Law Enforcement Division, participating in the annual On the Road, On the Water campaign. The campaign will be conducted throughout the weekend with an intense focus on removing impaired motorists who are operating boats and motor vehicles.
Motorists are encouraged to follow these suggestions:
For non-emergency information, motorists are requested to contact the local SHP office and avoid using *HP or 911. A list of local district offices can be obtained by visiting www.NCDPS.gov.
Vance Co. 4-H: Register Now for Youth Summer Fun Camps
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Vance County 4-H
Registration is now underway for Vance County 4-H Summer Fun Camps! A variety of camps for ages 5-18 are available from late June through early August.
Register at the N.C. Cooperative Extension in Vance County from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. Please allow 30 minutes of your time for the required paperwork.
For the online registration packet and more detailed information about each camp listed in the graphic below, please click here.
Visit 4HOnline to fill out your child’s 4-H enrollment form which includes the required medical release form.
View step by step instructions by clicking here or visit the N.C. Cooperative Extension of Vance County office.
Please read the camp packet thoroughly and understand the rules, regulations, and requirements.
With questions, comments or concerns, please contact Lina Lue, Vance County 4-H Agent, at (252) 438-8188 or lelue@ncsu.edu.
Warrenton’s 2nd Annual Public Arts Day to Offer Activities for All Ages
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy the Visit Warren County Facebook page
Warren County and the Town of Warrenton will host the 2nd Annual Public Arts Day on Saturday, June 1, 2019. Events for children and adults will be held at various locations throughout the county.
Events include:
Heritage Quilters STAY WOKE Quilt Show from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at 105 South Front St. in Warrenton. STAY WOKE is a quilt exhibition featuring works by the Heritage Quilters Giving Circle, Inc. that depict social issues.
Working Landscapes “Warren County Farm Portraits” from 12 until 2 p.m. at the Warren County Memorial Library. See magnificent pieces of artwork that depict farms and farmers from across Warren County. With funding from the North Carolina Arts Council and from the Warren County Arts Council, Working Landscapes has brought together four artists – two local and two from outside of the county – to highlight the diversity that can be found in Warren County soil.
This will be a come-and-go event with an introduction and Q&A with the artists at 1 p.m. Light appetizers and drinks will be catered by Honey’s Kitchen Catering.
Warren County’s Canvas Painting in the Park from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. and from 1 until 3 p.m.at the Warren County Recreational Complex. Cost is $5 per painted easel. Open to ages 5 and up. Ages 5-7 must be accompanied by a parent or adult.
Painting class for adults and children will be taught by Victoria Privette. Snacks will be provided. There will also be a limited number of Eastern Bluebird houses available to paint and take home at no additional cost (while supplies last).
Register online (click here) by Wednesday, May 29, 2019. Only 15 easel spaces available per time slot, so register now!
Artist Spotlight Segment 05/22/19
/by CharleneArtist Spotlight Segment with Trey Snide and Brandi Leigh of Whiskey Foxtrot
Coach’s Corner 05/22/19
/by CharleneCoach’s Corner Show – Vance County Aquatics.Program Interview
Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover 05/23/19
/by CharleneNews 05/23/19
/by LarryTown Talk 05/23/19
/by LarrySheriff Brame Gets More Personnel; May Lead To Other Cuts
/by John C. RoseIt’s budget time for Vance County, and the Vance County Board of Commissioners met Monday night and Tuesday night for more than four combined hours in budget sessions.
A priority emerged Tuesday night, and that is adding about $250,000 in additional funding to the proposed upcoming county fiscal year budget to provide additional manpower to Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame’s Office and his efforts at the jail.
In simplified terms, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office gets three more deputies and another lieutenant, while the Vance County Jail gets two more personnel to help with reducing workloads and safety concerns for jail employees and prison transports. To be clear, two deputy positions were in the originally proposed budget and now an additional deputy and an additional lieutenant are set to be added to the proposed budget.
After lengthy discussion by the board, Brame was asked to speak.
He said, “Vance County is a hub for heroin.” He said that hub was in Durham and now it is here. He said he needed more support and manpower to fix the problem. He said, “Nobody is dealing from home. If you see two cars meet in the street, they’re passing dope.”
Commissioner Tommy Hester said as he understood it, about $122,500 would fund two more deputy positions.
Commission Chair Archie Taylor said there appeared to be a consensus on the board to do more for the sheriff and said the money needed to be found.
Commissioner Leo Kelly raised the point of increasing the tax rate by a penny because it would generate about $287,000 and that would eliminate the squeeze on other parts of the budget.
As to the jail, it was stated that $90,000 would fund two more positions.
All present commissioners, and all but one was present, agreed and directed County Manager Jordan McMillan to find the necessary $250,000. It may come from the general fund, a tax increase, other cuts and by finding other priorities and making cuts.
Commissioner Dan Brummitt said, “The board has made the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and jail a priority.” He said it was in the best interest of public safety and for the county to move forward.
Commissioner Gordon Wilder said, “We have a new sheriff and we want to support him.”
As to the other public safety concern, the much ballhooed fire protection plans, the next public opportunity to hear about that comes Tuesday, May 28th. In a press release, the Commission board has announced that the location of the public safety committee meeting on the 28th has been changed to the Perry Library’s Farm Bureau room (205 Breckenridge Street). The time is 6 p.m.
The fire coverage discussion at this time is centered around the proposed 2.3 cents increase in the fire tax rate, how the fire tax monies are used, the equitable distribution of funds to the volunteer departments, the provision for two paid positions in each volunteer department funded by the county, except at Epsom and Drewry who get one paid firefighter, and the additional debate about the future of the Vance County Fire Department and, stillmore, the future of the Vance County Rescue Squad.
There are more questions than answers and the commissioners appear to be stuck in the details without actually having fully decided if broader, more full scale changes are needed.