Thirteen cadets graduated on Dec. 15, 2015, from the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program at Vance-Granville Community College, in a ceremony held in the Civic Center on Main Campus. After passing the state certification exam, all are authorized to work in any law enforcement agency in North Carolina.
Graduates of VGCC’s 101st BLET class included Thomas Henry Turner III and Jason Tyler Wright, both of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office; Elliott DeVar Carver of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office; Patrick Ryan Fuqua, Brandon Jay Link and Tiquan Devard Terry, all of the Henderson Police Department; Jason Scott Penshorn and William Keegan Ruark, both of the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation; Travis Ty Womack of the Oxford Police Department; Michael Wayne Martin of the Person County Sheriff’s Office; Tony Joseph Tart of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office; Wilbert Anthony Marrow of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office; and Jamison Patrick Vuolo.
The ceremony began with a presentation of colors by students from the ROTC program at Northern Vance High School, and the singing of the national anthem by NVHS student Jaylen Webb.
In welcoming remarks, Dr. Angela Ballentine, VGCC’s vice president of academic and student affairs, thanked the many leaders from local and state law enforcement agencies in attendance for partnering with the college. “Your support for the BLET program is invaluable,” Ballentine told the law enforcement representatives. “You sponsor our cadets, hire our graduates, provide many of our instructors, and give us feedback and advice. This successful partnership between VGCC and our community improves the safety and quality of life of our region.” She congratulated the graduates on completing the rigorous, 644-hour training program and encouraged them to continue their education.
Speaking on behalf of the class, Cadet Brandon Link praised their instructors, who taught them lessons that would shape their future careers. He called on his classmates to serve and protect “with honesty and pride.”
Graduates selected Sgt. Richard Creech of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, one of their instructors, to serve as their guest speaker. “Remember in your career to always treat people with respect,” Creech reminded the cadets. “Wearing this badge makes us no better than anyone else, but we are held to a higher standard.”
Andrea Ferguson, the program coordinator, and instructor Glen Boyd presented awards to the top students in the class in three categories. Womack won the “Top Gun” Award for having the highest accuracy score in weapons firing. Ruark earned the Physical Training Award for scoring highest in the various fitness tests the cadets undergo. Wright took home the Academic Achievement Award for having the top grade average in the written tests each cadet must pass.
After all graduates received their certificates, the group recited the “law enforcement code of ethics” published by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
For more information on the BLET program, contact Ferguson at fergusona@vgcc.edu.
Arrest for Recent Robberies
/by John C. RoseOn Tuesday, December 15, 2015, members of the Henderson Police Department Criminal Investigation Division, North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Agency, and the Vance County Sheriff’s Department arrested an individual for recent robberies in the Henderson area.
Dejon Williams, 24, of 720 Highland Avenue, Henderson has been charged with one count of robbery with a dangerous weapon in reference to a robbery reported at Citi Trends, 399 Raleigh Road on December 5, 2015. Williams was also charged with one count of robbery with a dangerous weapon in regards to an incident at Cruizer’s, 800 Dabney Drive, on December 14th.
Williams was placed in the Vance County Jail after failing to post a 200,000.00 secured bond in these matters. The investigation in these matters is still ongoing and additional charges could be forth coming.
Press Release Authority: Chief Marcus Barrow
News 12/21/15
/by CharleneNews 12/18/15
/by CharleneVGCC graduates 13 cadets in school’s 101st BLET Class
/by WIZS StaffThirteen cadets graduated on Dec. 15, 2015, from the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program at Vance-Granville Community College, in a ceremony held in the Civic Center on Main Campus. After passing the state certification exam, all are authorized to work in any law enforcement agency in North Carolina.
Graduates of VGCC’s 101st BLET class included Thomas Henry Turner III and Jason Tyler Wright, both of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office; Elliott DeVar Carver of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office; Patrick Ryan Fuqua, Brandon Jay Link and Tiquan Devard Terry, all of the Henderson Police Department; Jason Scott Penshorn and William Keegan Ruark, both of the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation; Travis Ty Womack of the Oxford Police Department; Michael Wayne Martin of the Person County Sheriff’s Office; Tony Joseph Tart of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office; Wilbert Anthony Marrow of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office; and Jamison Patrick Vuolo.
The ceremony began with a presentation of colors by students from the ROTC program at Northern Vance High School, and the singing of the national anthem by NVHS student Jaylen Webb.
In welcoming remarks, Dr. Angela Ballentine, VGCC’s vice president of academic and student affairs, thanked the many leaders from local and state law enforcement agencies in attendance for partnering with the college. “Your support for the BLET program is invaluable,” Ballentine told the law enforcement representatives. “You sponsor our cadets, hire our graduates, provide many of our instructors, and give us feedback and advice. This successful partnership between VGCC and our community improves the safety and quality of life of our region.” She congratulated the graduates on completing the rigorous, 644-hour training program and encouraged them to continue their education.
Speaking on behalf of the class, Cadet Brandon Link praised their instructors, who taught them lessons that would shape their future careers. He called on his classmates to serve and protect “with honesty and pride.”
Graduates selected Sgt. Richard Creech of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, one of their instructors, to serve as their guest speaker. “Remember in your career to always treat people with respect,” Creech reminded the cadets. “Wearing this badge makes us no better than anyone else, but we are held to a higher standard.”
Andrea Ferguson, the program coordinator, and instructor Glen Boyd presented awards to the top students in the class in three categories. Womack won the “Top Gun” Award for having the highest accuracy score in weapons firing. Ruark earned the Physical Training Award for scoring highest in the various fitness tests the cadets undergo. Wright took home the Academic Achievement Award for having the top grade average in the written tests each cadet must pass.
After all graduates received their certificates, the group recited the “law enforcement code of ethics” published by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
For more information on the BLET program, contact Ferguson at fergusona@vgcc.edu.
VGCC holds College Day for transferring students
/by WIZS StaffVance-Granville Community College hosted admissions officers from four-year colleges and universities on Dec. 3 on VGCC’s Main Campus. The event was VGCC’s annual “College Day,” where students obtain important information about transfer requirements, financial aid and scholarships that can help them take the next steps in their educational journeys.
The VGCC Student Learning and Success Center organized the fair in partnership with the Carolinas Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers (CACRAO).
VGCC students browsed through displays, picked up informational materials, and talked with representatives from 14 four-year schools. Almost all of the represented colleges and universities were from North Carolina.
Each year, large numbers of students start their higher education at VGCC before transferring to four-year institutions. VGCC has numerous articulation agreements with four-year schools (both public and private) that allow students to transfer credits in various programs. The VGCC College Transfer program provides students with the first two years of a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. College Transfer courses are offered at all four VGCC campuses and online. In recent years, the comprehensive articulation agreements between all North Carolina community colleges, the UNC System and the private N.C. Independent Colleges and Universities have been revised with clearer pathways. Graduates of the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science programs at VGCC are guaranteed admission into one of the 16 UNC schools, typically transferring in with the standing of juniors.
High school students in one of the four Early College programs operated by VGCC in partnership with local public school systems can earn up to two years of college-transferable credit, tuition-free.
For more information on enrolling at VGCC and transfer options, contact the Student Learning and Success Center at studentsuccess@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3330, or visit any campus.
Animal Kingdom 12/16/15
/by CharleneUtility Pole Problem
/by John C. RoseA utility pole problem has emergency personnel on the scene near Lowes Home Improvement in Henderson, as of our latest check at 10:43 A.M.
Fire Chief Steve Cordell confirmed at 10:00 A.M. that he had a crew on the scene and that the problem was dispatched as “a utility pole on fire.”
Those within ear shot reported to WIZS News that two loud booms were heard shortly after 9:30 A.M.
Cordell said there was a failure of an insulator on one of the power lines. Without the insulator in place, two electrical lines were able to touch, resulting in arcing.
There are no injuries.
A few lingering power outages are possible for another hour or so, according to Cordell, who stated he had received information from Duke Energy Progress.
Power service to WIZS was affected for about 45 minutes, but power has now been restored to the radio station.
Interim Financing New Animal Shelter
/by John C. RoseInterim financing for the new Vance County Animal Shelter will be on the agenda at next month’s meeting of the Vance County Board of Commissioners.
A short term financing commitment was secured from BB&T Bank and will permit the construction phase for the new shelter to begin in the early spring of 2016. According to David Beck, Finance Director, there are a few more hoops to jump through, like getting approval from the Local Government Commission on the financing. The Local Government Commission was started during the Great Depression in 1931 and is responsible for approving local borrowing and is an arm of the North Carolina Treasurer Department.
Once construction is completed, the County will secure long term financing from the USDA and pay off the interim financing from BB&T. The long term financing will include all construction costs plus interest.
Current plans are for the new shelter to be constructed on five acres of land donated to the County by Charles and Mary Boyd. It will be an 8,700 square foot facility with over 130 kennels and will include an examination room, a large storage space, sally port and increased parking spaces for those visiting the shelter.
Animal Control Officer Frankie Nobles indicated that he is overjoyed by the progress being made to replace the current 37 year old facility. One of the major problems with the current space is there are just too many animals housed within the facility and the larger building will be a blessing, as it will enable the shelter staff to provide top notch care for all animals surrender to the County.
Fund raising for the new shelter is currently under way with just over $32,000 raised to date. Donations can be made directly to the Vance County Animal Shelter and are tax deductible. If paying by check be sure to write in the memo line “Vance County Animal Shelter.”
(written by George Rush, WIZS News)
News 12/17/15
/by LarryGranville County Criminal Superior Court
/by John C. RoseOxford, NC – Granville County Criminal Superior Court was held during the week of December 7, 2015. Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Robert H. Hobgood presided during the session. The Office of District Attorney Mike Waters was represented by Assistant District Attorneys Allison S. Capps, Tasha C. Gardner and Michael W. Putney, Jr.
The week-long session began with the trial of State of North Carolina vs. Stevie Roberts. Mr. Roberts was charged with Driving While Impaired which was alleged to have occurred on December 7, 2012. Mr. Roberts was represented by attorney A. Chance Wilkinson. At the close of all evidence and arguments of counsel, the jury convicted Mr. Roberts of a Level 5 DWI. Mr. Roberts received a 60-day sentence, which was suspended for 24 months of supervised probation.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael W. Putney, Jr. The case was investigated by Officer S.C. Slinkard of Butner Public Safety under the leadership of Chief Danny Roberts.
On Thursday, December 10, 2015, a plea was entered in the case of State of North Carolina vs. Rodriquez Teshawn Thomas. Mr. Thomas was charged with First Degree Murder and Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon in the September 25,2013 death of Musleh Mohamed Saleh Qayed. Mr. Thomas
pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder and Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon. He was represented by attorneys David R. Waters and Joyce Fischer. Mr. Thomas was sentenced by Judge Hobgood to two consecutive, active sentences of 365 to 450 months and 78 to 106 months in the North Carolina
Department of Adult Correction.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Allison S. Capps and Tasha C. Gardner. The case was investigated by Retired Detective B. Strother and Detective C. Williams of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office under the leadership of Sheriff Brindell B. Wilkins.
Please feel free to visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/District-Attorney-9th-Prosecutorial-District-1339203609439246/ to see this press release and the accompanying photo.
(Information provided to WIZS by The Office of Mike Waters by press release.)