Blue Alert System To Aid Law Enforcement Safety

Press Release

Governor McCrory Signs Legislation to Promote Transparency and Safety for Law Enforcement and the Public

Raleigh, N.C. – Governor Pat McCrory was joined by Department of Public Safety Secretary Frank Perry, sheriffs, police chiefs, capitol police, highway patrol troopers, and legislators today to sign legislation that promotes transparency while protecting law enforcement officers, victims and the community. Governor McCrory Signs Legislation to Promote Transparency and Safety for Law Enforcement and the Public

“This legislation fulfills our commitment to protect our law enforcement and gain public trust by promoting uniformity, clarity and transparency,” said Governor McCrory. “We are also taking action to curb violence among public safety officials and keep our citizens and law enforcement personnel safe through needle exchange programs.

The Law Enforcement Omnibus Bill (House Bill 1044) signed by Governor McCrory helps protect our police by establishing the Blue Alert System to aid in the apprehension of suspects who kill or inflict serious bodily injury on a law enforcement officer. This legislation will help curtail violence against our police officers by engaging the community to help capture suspects who seek to harm an officer.

Governor McCrory also signed House Bill 972. The bill seeks to gain public trust while respecting the rights of public safety officers by establishing clear and distinct procedures and standards by which a law enforcement agency may disclose or release Governor McCrory Signs Legislation to Promote Transparency and Safety for Law Enforcement and the Publica recording from a body-worn or dashboard camera. The law allows any person whose image or voice is captured in the recording, or his or her personal representative, to submit a written request for disclosure and, unless the agency can demonstrate a legitimate reason not to disclose the recording, it must be disclosed as promptly as possible. If a law enforcement agency fails to disclose the recording within three business days of the request, the requester is entitled to an expedited hearing in Superior Court.

The bill also protects the health and safety of law enforcement and citizens by authorizing the establishment of needle exchange programs by local governments. This will help prevent the spread of HIV, hepatitis and other diseases in our state. Other states where these programs operate have seen HIV transmission among injection drug users drop by 80 percent, Hepatitis C reduced by 50 percent and needle-stick injury to law enforcement drop by Governor McCrory Signs Legislation to Promote Transparency and Safety for Law Enforcement and the Public66 percent. Additionally, studies show that people who participate in needle exchange programs are five times more likely to enter drug treatment than non-participants, building on Governor McCrory’s commitment to combating drug use.

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Town Talk 07/11/16

News 07/11/16

Town Talk 07/08/16

Mater Matters

Some folks eat tomatoes.  Some eat tomato sandwiches too.  And here in Henderson and other southern areas you often hear tomatoes referred to as “maters.”  For example, a bacon, lettuce and “mater” sandwich.

The theme Saturday, July 9 at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market is ‘Mater Matters.’

The market’s weekly newsletter, which is available by email, says, “A variety of fresh locally grown tomatoes is in abundance…Samples available at Saturday’s Market.  Take a taste and pick your favorite!”

Open 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturdays and Wednesdays.

For more information, call 252-598-0814, contact the Vance County Extension Center at 252-438-8188, or e-mail farmersmarket@vancecounty.org.

The Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., just off S. Beckford Dr. between Andrews Ave. and Dabney Dr.

See more about the Farmers Market online

See more about the Farmers Market on Facebook

News 07/08/16

Vance County Criminal Superior Trial Court

(Full Press Release from Mike Waters)

Vance County Criminal Superior Trial Court was held during the week of June 27, 2016. The Honorable Cy A. Grant, Sr., Senior Resident Superior Court Judge from Judicial District 6B, presided over the session.

Cassandra Ewing was convicted of Driving While Impaired and received an active sentence of 18 months in the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Division of Adult Correction (DAC).

Bruce Collins was convicted of Common Law Robbery and Assault Inflicting Serious Injury and received an active sentence of 17 to 30 months in the DAC.

Thomas Mudd was convicted of Felony Larceny from the Person and received an active sentence of 5 to 15 months in the DAC. Mr. Mudd’s sentence was suspended for 18 months of supervised probation after he serves 45 days in jail.

John Hester was convicted of three counts of Felony Uttering a Forged Check and received a sentence of 6 to 17 months in the DAC. Mr. Hester’s sentence was suspended for 24 months of supervised probation after he serves 90 days in jail.

All of the cases above were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Melissa D. Pelfrey, William J. Williamson and Stephen T. Gheen.

VGCC to offer second Enrollment Day on July 20

Vance-Granville Community College will hold the second “Enrollment Day” of the summer on Wednesday, July 20, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., at all four of its campuses. On Enrollment Day, VGCC counselors and other staff members will be ready to assist anyone who is interested in enrolling at the college for the Fall 2016 semester, which starts Monday, Aug. 15. No appointments are required.

For new students, the process of enrollment begins with an application for admission and an application for financial aid. Then, students must request their official high school transcripts, and in some cases, their transcripts from other colleges they have attended. Next, they should meet with an academic/career coach and schedule a placement test, unless it is waived. Finally, students complete an orientation session, either online or in the traditional face-to-face format. On Enrollment Day, incoming students will be able to accomplish all of these tasks or schedule them, so they can stay on track to start classes in August.

VGCC’s Main Campus is located on Poplar Creek Road in Vance County (about midway between Henderson and Oxford) at the intersection with Interstate 85 (Exit 209).

The Franklin County Campus is located just west of Louisburg on N.C. 56.

South Campus is on N.C. 56 between Creedmoor and Butner.

The Warren County Campus is located at 210 West Ridgeway Street (U.S. 158 Business) in Warrenton.

Registration for fall classes at VGCC is ongoing, through July 29. For more information, contact VGCC at studentsuccess@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3330, or visit any campus.

Town Talk 07/07/16

Cooperative Extension with Jean Bell 07/07/16