Breaking News in Mysterious Granville County Death

The death of Lillian Terry of Bullock has officially been ruled “asphyxiation from drowning,” according to Granville County Sheriff Brindell B. Wilkins, Jr. and the findings of the Medical Examiner’s Office in Raleigh.

Mrs. Terry’s body was discovered on Saturday evening, October 15th after the Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to her residence at 9524 Farrow Lane. Tenants who rented the upstairs garage apartment of the Terry home reported finding Terry floating face down at the shoreline of the lake behind her home and alerted authorities through a 911 call. The call came in at 4:20 p.m. Saturday.

Wilkins stated that Hurricane Matthew may have played a role in Terry’s death.

“The water was still high after the storm, and we believe Terry was attempting to get out to her boat dock, which was about 40 yards out in the water,” Wilkins said. “She had on chest waders when she was found.”

Due to the condition of the body when it was discovered, it was estimated that Terry’s body had been in the water for several days, Wilkins added. The water surrounding the dock at that time (Saturday) was also estimated at about seven feet deep.

Lillian Terry was the wife of John Terry, who was reported missing by a co-worker in September of 2015. A UPS employee, Mr. Terry did not show up for his shift and had not reported for work in three days when his disappearance was reported to authorities last year. His whereabouts, according to Wilkins, are still unknown.

“We have been proceeding with caution in investigating this case, ” Sheriff Wilkins said on Wednesday. Because of the circumstances surrounding this entire investigation, we had to look at all possibilities to eliminate any questions that may have arisen around this particular incident.”

The autopsy report released from the Medical Examiner’s Office this week has led Wilkins to the conclusion that no foul play is suspected in Mrs. Terry’s death.

No details have yet been released concerning funeral arrangements.

Town Talk 10/19/16

Cooperative Extension with Paul McKenzie 10/19/16

News 10/19/16

Troxler announces availability of farmland preservation grants; application deadline is Dec. 16

County governments and nonprofit groups pursuing farmland preservation projects have until Dec. 16 to apply for funding assistance from the N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. This year’s request for proposals includes statewide general appropriations for traditional farm preservation projects and conservation easement applications to protect military-base and training buffers. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Dec. 16.

The fund’s purpose is to support projects that encourage the preservation of qualifying agricultural, horticultural and forest lands to foster the growth, development and sustainability of family farms.

Grants can be awarded to secure agricultural conservation easements on lands used for agricultural production; to support public and private enterprise programs that promote profitable and sustainable agricultural, horticultural and forestland activities; and for the development of agricultural plans. Military-designated grants are restricted to easement-related projects.

The grant application and guidelines for the current funding cycle are available at www.ncadfp.org/CycleX.htm. Call 919-707-3072 with any questions.

October is Fire Prevention Month

October is Fire Prevention Month – Schedule an appointment, and the Henderson Fire Department will conduct a free home inspection for you.  Contact information is below.

You may have seen the following announcement from Henderson Fire Chief Steve Cordell.  It arrived in the mail and reads as follows:

“The City of Henderson Fire Department will once again be offering our free home inspections.  These inspections include checking your smoke detectors and your residence for any fire hazards.  This year we will not be going door to door.  We are only offering inspections by appointment only.  We strongly encourage you to make an appointment with us.

“If you do not make an appointment, please do the following things to make your home a safer place.”

  • Make sure smoke detectors in the house are working properly
  • Make sure to change the battery every 6 months in your smoke detector
  • Test smoke detectors monthly
  • Make escape plans in case of a fire
  • Don’t overload drop cords
  • Keep 3 feet of clearance around all space and kerosene heaters

The information sheet from Chief Cordell continues as follows:

“To make an appointment, call us at 252-430-1877.  Please leave a name and number so we can get back in touch with you!”

 

Teachers in Vance County Schools receive new laptops

The deployment of almost 600 new laptop computers to teachers in Vance County Schools began today with teachers from six schools coming to the Administrative Services Center in the afternoon to get their new devices.

The teachers were returning their old devices and then picking up new ones, which are Lenovo E460 laptops, that have been fully programmed and equipped to use as teaching tools each day in their classrooms.

Technology Department staff members have worked long hours to get all of the new laptops ready for the teachers.

Teachers from Southern Vance High, Early College High, Aycock Elementary, Carver Elementary, Clarke Elementary and New Hope Elementary received laptops today. New laptop computers will be given tomorrow afternoon to teachers from Northern Vance High, STEM Early High, Dabney Elementary, E.O. Young Jr. Elementary and Zeb Vance Elementary.

More computer deployments are planned for teachers at additional schools on October 25 and 26.

Home and Garden Show 10/18/16

Zeb Vance Elementary Celebrates National Grandparents Day

Grandparents of students at Zeb Vance Elementary School were invited to join their grandchildren for lunch in honor of National Grandparents Day. Although the official day is to be observed on the first Sunday after Labor Day, Zeb Vance hosted its festivities on the following Monday.

“The smiles on the students’ faces when they saw their grandparents come out to have lunch with them was priceless. I was floored by the number of grandparents we had visiting,” said Kristian Herring, Principal of Zeb Vance Elementary School. “101 grandparents had lunch with their grandchildren. This shows just how important our grandparents are to our students and how important our students are to our grandparents.”

Guidance Counselor Valerie Hairston was also ecstatic at how Grandparents Day connected generations. “Grandparents left with joy in their hearts and a token of appreciation in their hands,” she stated. “This was a great way to honor grandparents.”

This initiative was started at Zeb Vance as a way to have grandparents visit the school and enjoy the company of their grandchildren over a nutritional meal. Zeb Vance also uses this as a venue to recruit volunteers for the school.

“It is wonderful to see our students’ faces light up when they see their grandparents in the cafeteria to join them for lunch,” shared Marian Faulkner, a third grade teacher at Zeb Vance. “Some students invited their classmates (who didn’t have a family member there) to join them and their family for lunch. Anytime we can merge our Zeb Vance family with our students’ families is a positive experience.”

Mike Patel, grandfather of a Zeb Vance Kindergarten student, shared his satisfaction with the Grandparents Day celebration. “I enjoyed the lunch very much,” he said. “I liked seeing all the loving moments between the grandchildren and their grandparents.”

President Jimmy Carter signed a federal proclamation declaring the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. What a way to celebrate Grandparents Day by promoting participation and community involvement.

Pictured in the attached photograph are (left to right):  Mike Patel, Maci Hunt, Maci Short and Dinky Ramsey

Greenglo Daycare Center Celebrates HV Chamber Membership

The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce held a Ribbon Cutting ceremony for Greenglo Daycare Center, Inc. on Monday, October 17th.  The community was invited to come out and meet the staff, show their support, and learn all about their local business. The event began at 10:00 AM at their 44 Allen Road location in Henderson.

At Greenglo Daycare Center, they believe that child care should be an educational, enjoyable, and positive experience for children. They promise to get to know your daughter or son, to learn their particular physical, academic, and social needs, and to meet those needs with knowledge, patience, and kindness.

Quality instruction and academic excellence are the foundations of their business. Their teachers work to instill the principles of character development, while showing respect for parental and family beliefs. You will find that the learning atmosphere at Greenglo Daycare Center produces well-rounded and independent learners.

Their services are available part-time or full-time to accommodate your child’s schedule, and they offer convenient drop-off services. Whether you need full time child care, summer care, before or after school care, or a comprehensive preschool, they work to ensure that your child is nurtured, happy, and safe.

To learn more about Greenglo Daycare Center, stop in and meet owners, Paul Stennett and Director, Sheril Scott during their Open House on Thursday evening, October 20th starting at 6 PM.  Always delighted to meet prospective students and parents. They would love to introduce you and your little one to their happy world of learning!  You can also check them out on the web at www.greenglodaycare.com or call them at 252-654-2164.