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Warren Co. Man Sentenced to 36 Months in Federal Prison for Firearms Case

-Press Release, U.S.Department of Justice

United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today, JATWAUN DONKES DAVIS, 27, of Manson, North Carolina was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge James C. Dever, III to 36 months imprisonment followed by 3 years’ supervised release.

DAVIS was named in a three-count Indictment on July 19, 2017. On March 5, 2018, DAVIS pled guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Receipt of a Firearm While Under Indictment.

On December 5, 2016, DAVIS was arrested for Breaking and Entering and Larceny after Breaking and Entering in Warren County, North Carolina. On January 17, 2017, DAVIS was indicted for the charges and released on a secured bond on January 20, 2017.

On April 6, 2017, DAVIS was at his girlfriend’s residence in Henderson, North Carolina, when an argument ensued between her and DAVIS. DAVIS became enraged when she told DAVIS his friends needed to leave. DAVIS pushed his girlfriend on her bed, grabbed her throat and began choking her while threatening to kill her. Upon his girlfriend requesting a friend to retrieve her purse where she kept her firearm, DAVIS jumped up and ran to the other bedroom taking his girlfriend’s firearm from her purse. DAVIS fled from the residence while in possession of the firearm. She chased after DAVIS yelling at him to return her firearm. DAVIS was picked up in a vehicle. DAVIS later informed his girlfriend that he had thrown the firearm by the road as he fled from her residence. A short time later, his girlfriend went to the Henderson Police Department (HPD) and filed charges relating to the assault and theft of her firearm.

On March 26, 2018, DAVIS provided a written statement accepting responsibility for the three charges.

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.

In support of PSN, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina has implemented the Take Back North Carolina Initiative. 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.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Henderson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney S. Katherine Burnette prosecuted 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.

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NC Coop Extension

Cooperative Extension with Jean Bell 06/14/18

Quality Time

The time you spend with your child is precious. As any parent of a grown child will tell you, time flies by much too quickly. Looking back most parents think “I wish I had spent more time with my child.” So take the time to spend time with your child as much as possible.

Parents have many other responsibilities that can get in the way of spending time with children. The term quality time was created with this dilemma in mind. The term was created when experts found that parents were too busy working, taking care of the house, running errands, and focusing on other responsibilities to spend much time with their children. Many parents felt that scheduling time with their children would help them to spend meaningful time with their child. But quality time does not have to be scheduled. Quality time can be anytime you are with your child. There are many times throughout the day when we may be shopping, waiting in line, driving to school, or getting ready for bed when we have a few moments of downtime. Use this time as quality time with your child.  Parents can turn this time into fun and sneak in a little intellectual stimulation, too.

So, how can you turn waiting time into quality time? The best place to start is by paying attention to your child and talk to him. Ask a question and really listen to his answer. Ask your child’s opinion and take it seriously.

You can ask a serious question or a silly one. Some examples might be asking your child to describe something he sees while you are driving in the car, and you can guess what he sees. You can ask a younger child to find something red or blue, or count a certain color car as you drive by. Start a discussion by asking about things your child is interested in, you might ask a child who likes dinosaurs which dinosaur he would want to be and then find out why he chose that dinosaur. Have your child imagine she was a superhero, then ask her to describe her powers.  Tell your child what your favorite dinosaur is or what superpower you would want too.  This can spark a lively discussion and you will both learn a lot about each other.

How about adding quality time to dinner preparation? Instead of parking your child in front of the TV or a video game, involve him in your dinner preparations.  Children can help with meal preparations, setting the table and clean up. If you do these things together you are having some quality time together. Depending on their age, kids can wash or chop vegetables, read a recipe, measure ingredients, stir and mix, and lots of other jobs in the kitchen. Kids will be learning while they are doing, and keep up the conversation! Cooking time is a great time to talk about foods you like and foods your child likes.

Waiting time in a doctors office is easy to turn into quality time with a few markers or crayons and some paper. Carry a notebook and you can draw together while you have a few minutes to wait. You don’t have to be an accomplished artist, just have fun doing it. You can draw a picture together, draw a story, or even draw a picture and write a story about your picture. Of course, the old standby of the tic tac toe games or hangman is great fun for kids too.

Bathtime can easily turn into quality time. Science experiments are fun and easy to clean up in the tub. Make a volcano with baking soda and vinegar, experiment with different objects that sink or float, try to sink a boat by pouring water into it. There are lots of fun things to do in the tub with your child.

Quality time at bedtime is easy too; read a book together! Talk about your day, and maybe about what you will do tomorrow.

Of course, the common denominator of all quality time activities is paying attention to your child. Talk to your child, listen to his answers, ask her opinions, and you will be well on the way to a better relationship with your child. Use all of the small moments of your day to spend time with your children. Remember, they grow up fast!

If you want some ideas about things to do for quality time that are free or inexpensive, the book “Quality Time Anytime” by Penny Warner has lots of great ideas. It’s available in the Lending Library at Cooperative Extension. Come check it out for free along with our other parenting resources

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Henderson City Council Adopts FY 2018-19 Budget

Without further ado, the Henderson City Council adopted the proposed FY 2018-19 budget at their Monday, June 11, 2018, meeting.

After hearing a brief summary of the overall budget from City Manager Frank Frazier, who thanked council members for the meetings and work sessions that were held to get to that point in the budget process, the approximately $44 million budget was approved.

Frazier said he felt encouraged about the budget thanks, in part, to an increase in the amount of sales tax collected this past fiscal year. “We were slightly ahead of projections,” Frazier reported. “Whereas some projections by different agencies increased that [collection rate] to 4%, we used a more conservative approach at 2%.”

Frazier also reported an increase in the personal/real property tax collection rate as performed by the Vance County Tax Office. “This collection helped increase our revenue projections for the upcoming year and staff worked hard over the last several years in becoming a safer workforce and obtaining a better worker’s comp rate,” said Frazier.

The increase in tax collection has also helped to offset the less than 1% lower personal property value from the previous fiscal year.

Budgeted funds for the final phase in a five-year pay class study allows for a 5% pay increase for City employees effective August 9, 2018. According to Frazier, “This helps us to reduce our turnover rate and also helps us compete with our neighboring jurisdictions.”

As previously reported to WIZS by Henderson City Councilman Garry Daeke, the turnover rate for City of Henderson employees has dropped from 20% to 5% since the implementation of the five-year study.

This year’s budget was approved with no tax rate increase, keeping the rate steady at approximately 71 cents per $100 of property value. Sanitary sewer and sanitation rates also remain unchanged.

A 5% water rate increase was approved, which will allow for the completion of several infrastructure projects with streets, water and sewer as well as equipment purchases.

As Frazier stated in previous budget documentation “Whereas not all needs are met, as in most budgets, I believe this budget represents further positive steps in areas not funded previously, which will help the City continue to grow and reach its full potential again.”

NCDOT Seeks Public Comment on Transportation Projects

WIZS Note: The Division 5 meeting, including Durham, Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance, Wake and Warren counties will be held Tuesday, June 19, 2018, from 4 – 6 p.m. at the NCDOT Division 5 Office, 2612 N. Duke St., Durham.

-Press Release, NCDOT

RALEIGH – Starting June 4, North Carolinians are invited to express their opinions about which regional and local transportation projects should be top priorities in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) – a 10-year plan that identifies funding for projects and schedules them for construction.

The N.C. Department of Transportation combines data and local input to determine which projects will get built, using a formula established in the Strategic Transportation Investments (STI) law to focus funding on projects that will reduce congestion, improve safety and promote economic growth.

During a public comment period that runs from June 4 through July 9, NCDOT will collect feedback from citizens who express their views at public meetings, online, by phone or in writing.

Public Meetings

NCDOT’s 14 local transportation divisions will host informal meetings to present proposed projects and to receive public comment. The first meetings are Monday, June 4, in Winston-Salem (Division 9) and Thursday, June 7, in Aberdeen (Division 8).  See below for the schedules and locations of all the public meetings.

At each meeting, citizens are invited to stop in and provide input on how the division plans to rank its project priorities. Please note that these meetings are not for maintenance projects, such as patching potholes, resurfacing roads or improving ditches.

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for anyone with disabilities who wants to participate in the public meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact Lauren Putnam, Public Involvement Officer, at 919-707-6072 or by email at lnputnam1@ncdot.gov as early as possible so that these arrangements can be made.

Other Ways to Participate

In addition to the public meetings, NCDOT is offering other options for citizens to provide input starting Monday, June 4, through the STI website (ncdot.gov/sti).  Citizens can complete a short, interactive survey to identify priority projects, or send a message to their local division planning engineer.

The online survey features an interactive state map with the proposed projects up for funding.  Citizens can review project information and provide feedback on which projects they think are important.

The STI website provides the phone numbers and postal addresses of local division planning engineers, for citizens who want to comment on transportation projects by telephone or mail.

In April, NCDOT released data scores for more than 2,100 transportation improvement projects across the state, in the first round of an evaluation process to determine which projects will be scheduled for construction.  Also in April, NCDOT identified 77 high-scoring Statewide Mobility projects that will be programmed for funding over the next decade.

Next Steps

After the comment period ends on July 9, NCDOT will combine the data scores and local input to produce the total project scores. A draft list of the top-scoring Regional Impact projects is scheduled for release in August. A similar process for local input will take place in the fall for local Division Needs projects.

Once all project scores are finalized, the top-scoring projects will be programmed for construction based on available funding. Other factors may determine whether a project ultimately moves to construction, including the completion of environmental and engineering plans, corridor spending limits prescribed by law, and other federal and state funding restrictions.

This information will be used to create the next STIP for the years 2020-2029. NCDOT will release a draft STIP for public comment in January 2019. The final 2020-2029 STIP is expected to be adopted by the N.C. Board of Transportation in June 2019.

The STI law, enacted in 2013, established a data-driven process that allows NCDOT to invest transportation dollars more efficiently and effectively.  NCDOT updates the STIP approximately every two years to ensure that it accurately reflects the state’s current financial situation.

Meeting Dates and Locations

  • JUNE 14, 5-7 P.M. – EDENTON
    (DIVISION 1: Camden, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Bertie, Hertford, Northampton, Chowan, Hyde, Martin, Tyrrell and Washington counties)

    NCDOT Division 1 Office
    113 Airport Drive
    Edenton, N.C.  27932
  • JUNE 12, 4-6 P.M. – KINSTON
    (DIVISION 2: Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, Pamlico and Pitt counties)

    NCDOT Division 2 Office
    2815 Rouse Road Ext.
    Kinston, N.C. 28504
  • JUNE 12, 5-7 P.M. – CASTLE HAYNE
    (DIVISION 3: Brunswick, Duplin, Onslow, New Hanover, Pender and Sampson counties)

    NCDOT Division 3 Office
    5501 Barbados Blvd.
    Castle Hayne, N.C. 28429
  • JUNE 12, 5-7 P.M. – WILSON
    (DIVISION 4: Edgecombe, Halifax, Johnston, Nash, Wayne and Wilson counties)

    NCDOT Division 4 Office
    509 Ward Blvd.
    Wilson, N.C.  27895
  • JUNE 19, 4-6 P.M. – DURHAM
    (DIVISION 5: Durham, Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance, Wake and Warren counties)

    NCDOT Division 5 Office
    2612 N. Duke St.
    Durham, N.C. 27704
  • JUNE 18, 5-7 P.M. – FAYETTEVILLE
    (DIVISION 6: Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Harnett and Robeson counties)

    NCDOT Division 6 Office
    558 Gillespie St.
    Fayetteville, N.C. 28301
  • JUNE 11, 5-7 P.M. – GREENSBORO
    (DIVISION 7: Alamance, Caswell, Guilford, Orange and Rockingham counties)

    NCDOT Division 7 Office
    1584 Yanceyville St.
    Greensboro, N.C.  27415
  • JUNE 7, 5-7 P.M. – ABERDEEN
    (DIVISION 8: Chatham, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Richmond and Scotland counties)

    NCDOT Division 8 Conference Room
    902 N. Sandhills Blvd.
    Aberdeen, N.C. 28315
  • JUNE 4, 4-6 P.M. – WINSTON-SALEM
    (DIVISION 9: Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Rowan and Stokes counties)

    NCDOT Division 9
    Conference Room
    375 Silas Creek Parkway
    Winston-Salem, N.C.  27127
  • JUNE 19, 5-7 P.M. – ALBEMARLE
    (DIVISION 10: Anson, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Stanly and Union counties)

    Stanly County Commissioners Meeting Room
    1000 N. First St.
    Albemarle, N.C. 28001
  • JUNE 11, 4-6 P.M. – NORTH WILKESBORO
    (DIVISION 11: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yadkin counties)

    NCDOT Division 11 Office
    802 Statesville Road
    N. Wilkesboro, N.C.  28659
  • JUNE 25, 5-7 P.M. – MAIDEN
    (DIVISION 12: Alexander, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell and Lincoln counties)

    Maiden Town Hall
    19 N. Main Ave.
    Maiden, N.C. 28650
  • JUNE 14, 5-7 P.M. – BLACK MOUNTAIN
    (DIVISION 13: Buncombe, Burke, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Rutherford and Yancey counties)

    Lake Tomahawk Park
    Lakeview Clubhouse
    401 Laurel Circle Drive
    Black Mountain, N.C.  28711
  • JUNE 11, 5-7 P.M. – HAYESVILLE & JUNE 12, 5-7 P.M. – MILLS RIVER
    (DIVISION 14: Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Polk, Swain and Transylvania counties)
    June 11: 
    Hayesville First United Methodist Church
    989 U.S. 64 Business
    Hayesville, N.C. 28904
H-V Chamber Logo

“Meet Me in the Street” in Downtown Henderson – Tomorrow!

— courtesy Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce | John Barnes, President ~ 252-438-8414 ~ info@hendersonvance.org ~ Facebook

This year’s second “Meet Me in the Street” event, a free concert series hosted by the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce, is set for TOMORROWThursday, June 14, 2018, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in downtown Henderson.

Presenting sponsor for this year’s events is NC Towing & Recovery.

Tomorrow’s “Meet Me in the Street” will feature “The Castaways.” A reputable band known throughout the South, “The Castaways” posses over fifty years of experience in the beach music industry. From their beginning in Durham, NC in 1961, “The Castaways” have been pleasing audiences with their unique flavor of Beach, Soul, and Rock N’ Roll for generations of fans. With eight members on stage, “The Castaways” bring a full sound that includes live horns, versatile vocals covering a variety of music and high energy. Don’t be surprised if you hear some current country, Top-40, or a little southern-rock as well!

In addition to the live music and dancing, a kids’ section will also be included this year.

Sponsors for this year’s concert series are Duke Energy and Maria Parham Health – Gold Sponsors; BB&T, Mars Petcare, Wake Electric Membership Corporation and Walmart DC #6091 – Silver Sponsors; and 3hc, Benchmark Community Bank, Carolina Sunrock, Express Employment Professionals, Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission and Waste Industries – Bronze Sponsors. Contributing Sponsors are CenturyLink, Coastal Federal Credit Union, Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission, Hoyle’s Tire & Axle, NC Motorsports Park and Woodforest Bank.

Promotional Sponsors are Brewer Cycles, Fidelity Bank, Satterwhite Point Marina, Servpro and Union Bank.

The third and final concert of the season is set for Thursday, September 27, 2018, and will feature the band “Liquid Pleasure.”

All concerts are free to the public and will be held at the corner of North Garnett and Breckenridge Streets from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting the Chamber at 252-438-8414 or jay@hendersonvance.org

Frances Abbot Burton Powers Fund Accepting Grant Applications

-Press Release, North Carolina Community Foundation

The Frances Abbot Burton Powers Fund for support of the Town of Henderson will be accepting grant applications for its 2018 grants cycle, according to Preston Powers.

The endowment will make grant funds available for government entities and nonprofit organizations that benefit the Town of Henderson and have a physical location in Henderson. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $15,000.

A board of advisors will determine grant awards. Applications are available online at nccommunityfoundation.org/vance and will be accepted June 15 – July 13. All organizations will be notified by mid-August.

For further information, contact NCCF Regional Director Quinn Novels at qnovels@nccommunityfoundation.org or 919-256-6914 or visit the NCCF website at nccommunityfoundation.org.

About the Vance County Community Foundation

The Vance County Community Foundation is a growing family of philanthropic funds, resource for area nonprofits, source of grants for local causes and partner for donors. The VCCF is led by a local volunteer advisory board that helps build community assets through the creation of permanent endowments, makes grants and leverages leadership—all for the benefit of Vance County. Whatever your means or charitable goals, the VCCF makes it easy to become a philanthropist. The VCCF was founded in 1997 and is an affiliate foundation of the North Carolina Community Foundation. Board members include Fagan Goodwin (president), Anthony Adams (secretary), Sarah Webster (grants chair), Sarah Baskerville, Kay Curin, Wendy Meyer-Goodwin, Terri Hedrick and Amy Russell.

For further information, contact NCCF Regional Director Quinn Novels at 919-256-6914 or qnovels@nccommunityfoundation.org or visit the NCCF website at nccommunityfoundation.org.

About the North Carolina Community Foundation

The NCCF is the single statewide community foundation serving North Carolina and has administered more than $130 million in grants since its inception in 1988. With nearly $247 million in assets, NCCF sustains 1,200 endowments established to provide long-term support of a broad range of community needs, nonprofit organizations, institutions and scholarships. The NCCF partners with a network of affiliate foundations to provide local resource allocation and community assistance across the state. An important component of NCCF’s mission is to ensure that rural philanthropy has a voice at local, regional and national levels.

For more information, visit nccommunityfoundation.org, like us on Facebook and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @NCCF.

Medical Arts & Mako Labs to Hold Ice Cream Fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis

-Information courtesy Cara Kirby, Medical Arts Pharmacy

Medical Arts Pharmacy and Mako Medical Laboratories are partnering to raise awareness and funds to cure Cystic Fibrosis.

Join them this Friday, June 15, 2018, from 12 to 3 p.m. for an Ice Cream Fundraiser at Medical Arts Pharmacy, 253 Ruin Creek Road, Henderson.

Ice cream provided by FRESH. Local Ice Cream.

All proceeds go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

(This is not a paid advertisement)