By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer for Hire
Held on a chilly morning earlier this month, the 2018 Special Olympics Vance County Polar Plunge saw a total of 53 courageous people brave the freezing water of Kerr Lake.
The sixth annual event took place on Saturday, February 3 and began at 9:30 am with participants checking-in at the Satterwhite Point Glass House. Participants were required to raise at least $30 to take part in the plunge. Hot cocoa and a t-shirt were provided to all plungers, with additional t-shirts being sold to assist fundraising efforts.
Participants were asked to come dressed to impress, with costumes highly encouraged. Rules included no wetsuits allowed, tennis or water shoes required and warm, dry clothes to change into recommended.
Before the lake plunge began, prizes were awarded for best individual and team costume, most money raised by both an individual and a team and largest team.
The contest was followed by the main event-the icy plunge into the lake. Vance County Special Olympics Local Coordinator Crystal Allen reported that participants did everything from sticking their toes in the water to running in.
The event raised over $7,000 for the Special Olympics, with proceeds going directly to equipment, uniforms and supplies for Vance County athletes.
“We are so appreciative that you have helped us to fulfill our goals,” Allen said. “We hope to have even more participation next year!”
Special Olympics North Carolina is a non-profit amateur sports organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 Olympic-type sports to nearly 40,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The organization relies on generous support from individuals, businesses, and foundations to provide services.
According to the Special Olympics North Carolina website, approximately $2.57 million dollars has been raised for athletes in NC since 2000. These funds were raised by over 46,000 donors and made possible by over 5,000 fundraising events.
“Special Olympics strives to provide children and adults with intellectual disabilities hope for a healthier, longer and more fulfilling life through sports training and competition that keeps them engaged in regular physical activity within a structured peer network,” said Allen. “Through participation in Special Olympics, our athletes build self-confidence and improve their overall health and well-being.”
Anyone interested in volunteering, donating or coaching a Special Olympics sport is asked to contact Allen at (252) 431-6091. “Without volunteers from the community, we could not provide a program for our local athletes,” Allen said.
Allen thanks all who made the fundraiser successful, “On behalf of the local committee, athletes and community participants of Special Olympics Vance County, I would like to offer a sincere thank you for your generous contribution to our annual Polar Plunge.”
Mark your calendar for next February’s Polar Plunge, get your friends or co-workers together to form a team and plan to wear your best lake-diving costume.
VGCC scholarship endowed by MR Williams
/by WIZS Staff— courtesy VGCC
VGCC scholarship endowed by MR Williams
A new Vance-Granville Community College scholarship has been endowed by the Henderson-based distribution company, MR Williams. The new scholarship in the company’s name will be presented to a VGCC student each year as a “Presidential Scholar Award,” the college’s largest, most prestigious level of endowed scholarship.
Mike Williams, board chairman and founder of MR Williams, said that his company values education, both for its own sake — to benefit from skilled employees — and for the sake of the entire community. “We know that students who complete a two-year degree at VGCC are better prepared to succeed at the four-year university level,” Williams said. “I grew up in a small town like Henderson, and I want to see this community thrive. Vance-Granville does so much to support our community and our local businesses.”
Pictured, from left, at the MR Williams headquarters in Henderson are VGCC President Dr. Stelfanie Williams, company founder and board chairman Mike Williams, VGCC Endowment Specialist Kay Currin and VGCC Endowment Director Eddie Ferguson.
For over 40 years, MR Williams, Inc., has been selling products and services to the convenience store industry in the Carolinas and in surrounding states, from Delaware to Georgia. Mike Williams purchased the former Watkins-Sydnor Wholesale Distributor in 1976 and changed the company’s name in 1979. Since then, the company has grown considerably and invested in increasingly sophisticated technology.
MR Williams has supported the VGCC Endowment Fund Golf Tournament for several years and was one of the platinum sponsors for the record-breaking 33rd annual Golf Tournament in 2017.
Lawson Williams, the company president since 2009 and Mike’s son, said that the newly endowed scholarship marks another milestone for MR Williams as its first college scholarship. Williams said that his company is pleased to be able to give back to a community that has been so supportive of their business and their hundreds of local employees.
“We greatly appreciate the commitment that MR Williams has made to supporting our community, higher education and economic development,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC.
Eddie Ferguson, VGCC’s endowment director, added, “MR Williams is not only a great corporate citizen but also one of our college’s valued community partners, and the company’s generosity will support VGCC students for years to come.”
Through the Endowment Fund, VGCC has awarded more than 9,100 scholarships to students since 1982. Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education. For more information about the Endowment Fund, call (252) 738-3409.
–VGCC–
Granville Crime Stoppers Feb 2018
/by WIZS Staff— news release courtesy Granville Crime Stoppers
On Wednesday, February 14th, 2018 an unknown person or persons unlawfully went upon private property of a residence located off Bob Daniel Rd, Oxford, NC and forced entry of a residence and a barn that caused criminal property damage. Several guns, ammunition, one digital camera, as well both power and hand tools were criminally removed from the property.
On Thursday, February 15th, 2018 an unknown person or persons unlawfully went upon private property of a residence located off Lucy Averette Rd, Oxford, NC and forced entry of a residence, which caused criminal damage. One 12 gauge Mossberg shotgun and one 42 inch television was criminally removed from the property.
If you have information concerning these incidents, please contact the Granville County Sheriff’s Office at 919-693-3213 or call Crime Stoppers 919-693-3100.
THE GRANVILLE COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS AUTHORIZED THE PAYMENT OF A REWARD OF UP TO $1,000 FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST/INDICTMENT(S) OF PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE CRIMES. IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION CONCERNING THESE CRIMES OR ANY OTHER SERIOUS CRIME(S) IN GRANVILLE COUNTY. YOU ARE ASKED TO CALL THE GRANVILLE COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS IN OXFORD AT 919-693-3100.
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 02/26/18
/by CharleneNews 02/26/18
/by LarryTown Talk 02/26/18
/by LarryTown Talk 02/23/18
/by CharleneOXFORD MAN SENTENCED FOR FELON IN POSSESSION AND POSSESSION OF A FIREARM IN FURTHERANCE OF A DRUG TRAFFICKING CRIME
/by WIZS Staff— press release courtesy of the U.S. Department of Justice
NEW BERN – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that yesterday afternoon in federal court, United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced ROY LEE TERRY, 53, of Oxford to 101 months of imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release.
TERRY was named in a three-count Indictment filed on August 23, 2016. On November 16, 2016, TERRY subsequently pled guilty to one-count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and one-count of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug-Trafficking Crime.
The investigation began when the Oxford Police Department (OPD) received information that TERRY was dealing in drugs. On August 26, 2015, the OPD received information from a confidential source (CS) indicating that TERRY was storing and selling cocaine base at his residence. With the assistance of the CS, authorities conducted four purchases of narcotics from TERRY.
On September 10, 2016, the OPD executed a search warrant at TERRY’S residence. A cooperating witness (CW) informed law enforcement that TERRY had been seen with a handgun and cocaine in his bedroom prior to OPD’s arrival. Present at the time, in addition to Terry was Terry’s mother, who was charged by the State of North Carolina, two females and juveniles. During the subsequent search of the residence, authorities located the following in TERRY’S bedroom: a stolen .380 semi-automatic handgun loaded with 8 rounds; approximately 9.34 grams of cocaine base; approximately 15.5 grams of off-white powder; a plastic bag with cocaine residue; $680 in U.S. currency, a digital scale, plastic baggies, and other related items. In a bedroom next to TERRY’S bedroom, a box containing 42 rounds of 9 mm ammunition was located. After waiving his rights, Terry confessed to knowingly possessing the firearm. Further investigation revealed that the firearm was stolen.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
The Oxford Police Department, the North Carolina State Crime Lab, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the criminal investigation of this case. Assistant United States Attorney S. Katherine Burnette handled the prosecution of this case for the government.
###
Polar Plunge Raises Funds for Vance County Special Olympics
/by Kelly BondurantBy: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer for Hire
Held on a chilly morning earlier this month, the 2018 Special Olympics Vance County Polar Plunge saw a total of 53 courageous people brave the freezing water of Kerr Lake.
The sixth annual event took place on Saturday, February 3 and began at 9:30 am with participants checking-in at the Satterwhite Point Glass House. Participants were required to raise at least $30 to take part in the plunge. Hot cocoa and a t-shirt were provided to all plungers, with additional t-shirts being sold to assist fundraising efforts.
Participants were asked to come dressed to impress, with costumes highly encouraged. Rules included no wetsuits allowed, tennis or water shoes required and warm, dry clothes to change into recommended.
Before the lake plunge began, prizes were awarded for best individual and team costume, most money raised by both an individual and a team and largest team.
The contest was followed by the main event-the icy plunge into the lake. Vance County Special Olympics Local Coordinator Crystal Allen reported that participants did everything from sticking their toes in the water to running in.
The event raised over $7,000 for the Special Olympics, with proceeds going directly to equipment, uniforms and supplies for Vance County athletes.
“We are so appreciative that you have helped us to fulfill our goals,” Allen said. “We hope to have even more participation next year!”
Special Olympics North Carolina is a non-profit amateur sports organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 Olympic-type sports to nearly 40,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The organization relies on generous support from individuals, businesses, and foundations to provide services.
According to the Special Olympics North Carolina website, approximately $2.57 million dollars has been raised for athletes in NC since 2000. These funds were raised by over 46,000 donors and made possible by over 5,000 fundraising events.
“Special Olympics strives to provide children and adults with intellectual disabilities hope for a healthier, longer and more fulfilling life through sports training and competition that keeps them engaged in regular physical activity within a structured peer network,” said Allen. “Through participation in Special Olympics, our athletes build self-confidence and improve their overall health and well-being.”
Anyone interested in volunteering, donating or coaching a Special Olympics sport is asked to contact Allen at (252) 431-6091. “Without volunteers from the community, we could not provide a program for our local athletes,” Allen said.
Allen thanks all who made the fundraiser successful, “On behalf of the local committee, athletes and community participants of Special Olympics Vance County, I would like to offer a sincere thank you for your generous contribution to our annual Polar Plunge.”
Mark your calendar for next February’s Polar Plunge, get your friends or co-workers together to form a team and plan to wear your best lake-diving costume.
Dispatch earns 9 awards from N.C. Press Association
/by John C. Rose(Congratulations to The Daily Dispatch!)
— by Dispatch staff
— republished with permission
The Daily Dispatch received nine awards in its division in the annual North Carolina Press Association contest, which included entries from October 2016 to September 2017.
“I am thrilled to see our staff’s work honored,” said Nancy Wykle, publisher and editor of The Daily Dispatch. “We do our best every day to serve our advertisers and readers, and this reaffirms the dedication our staff has to serving this community.”
Advertising account representatives Stephanie Ranes and Diane Robbins received awards.
Ranes received first place for Best Community Service Signature Page or Best Shared Page for the “In Loving Memory” ad.
Robbins took both first and second place for Best Entertainment Ad for Carolina BBQ & Chicken and iExteriors 2017 NGAA, respectively.
In the newsroom, sports editor Logan Ulrich won second place for sports enterprise writing for his piece “Local football coaches deal with low turnout.” He also took second place for sports photography for the photo accompanying “Spartans advance to title game on PKs.”
Ulrich also placed third for sports feature writing for the article “Thoughts of family fuel Daye” and third for sports news reporting for the article “Kerr-Vance state title game.”
Reporter David Irvine placed third for headline writing.
The paper’s staff also won first place for the special section celebrating the Henderson’s 175th anniversary. “The win for the 175th section was really a win for the entire community because we had so many people here contribute to the section to make it successful,” Wykle said.
The newspaper received the awards Thursday in Raleigh.
News 02/23/18
/by Larry