THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Patricia Drews, organizer of an upcoming drug overdose awareness event, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.
Drews lost her 24-year-old daughter Heaven Leigh Nelson to a “drug-induced homicide” on January 28, 2019. Nelson had taken heroin that was laced with a lethal dose of fentanyl.
“They call it an overdose, but I choose not to use the term ‘accident’ or ‘overdose,’” said Drews. “When an otherwise survivable drug is laced with an un-survivable amount of fentanyl, that is murder or ‘drug-induced homicide.’”
Drews said her daughter grew up mainly in Alberta, Canada, graduating from the School of the Arts there before moving back to the Granville County area.
While talented and full-of-life, Drews said her daughter suffered from anxiety and depression and, like many young people with mental health issues, turned to drugs as a coping mechanism.
Noting that those who are bipolar and/or suffer from anxiety, depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are statistically more likely to use illegal drugs, Drews said ending the stigma around mental health and increasing support services is another part of the equation.
Photo courtesy Patricia Drews
“It’s overwhelming when you see how many young people we are losing at an alarming rate in this country alone,” Drews said. “We lose 192 a day – the equivalent of a full plane crashing every day in this country. Where is the outrage? Where is the change?”
In the roughly year and a half since her daughter’s death, Drews said she has become an advocate for young people suffering from mental health disorders and addiction, as well as a proponent for stricter laws and accountability measures for drug dealers.
“It’s terrible when you lose your child,” said Drews. “I try to tell other mothers that we can lay down and die with our children or we can stand up and fight for justice and change. I will not shut up. I will not give up. I will not go away. That was my only child. We have to hold these drug dealers accountable for their actions.”
In observance of International Overdose Awareness Day celebrated each August 31, Drews, family members who have lost loved ones and various community groups will hold an overdose awareness event on Sunday, August 30, 2020, from 5 until 7:30 p.m. at the Vance County Courthouse in Henderson.
Drews has made a banner for the event consisting of 42 overdose victims from Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties. A national group called “Can You See Me Now” will also be present with multiple banners consisting of 150 names and faces each.
The event will include a balloon release, candlelight vigil, a remembrance walk, prayer and plenty of support for those in attendance.
To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Town Talk 08/24/20: Overdose Awareness Event in Memory of Heaven Leigh Nelson, Other Victims
/by Kelly BondurantTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Patricia Drews, organizer of an upcoming drug overdose awareness event, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.
Drews lost her 24-year-old daughter Heaven Leigh Nelson to a “drug-induced homicide” on January 28, 2019. Nelson had taken heroin that was laced with a lethal dose of fentanyl.
“They call it an overdose, but I choose not to use the term ‘accident’ or ‘overdose,’” said Drews. “When an otherwise survivable drug is laced with an un-survivable amount of fentanyl, that is murder or ‘drug-induced homicide.’”
Drews said her daughter grew up mainly in Alberta, Canada, graduating from the School of the Arts there before moving back to the Granville County area.
Issues And The Death Of Her Daughter
While talented and full-of-life, Drews said her daughter suffered from anxiety and depression and, like many young people with mental health issues, turned to drugs as a coping mechanism.
Noting that those who are bipolar and/or suffer from anxiety, depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are statistically more likely to use illegal drugs, Drews said ending the stigma around mental health and increasing support services is another part of the equation.
Photo courtesy Patricia Drews
“It’s overwhelming when you see how many young people we are losing at an alarming rate in this country alone,” Drews said. “We lose 192 a day – the equivalent of a full plane crashing every day in this country. Where is the outrage? Where is the change?”
In the roughly year and a half since her daughter’s death, Drews said she has become an advocate for young people suffering from mental health disorders and addiction, as well as a proponent for stricter laws and accountability measures for drug dealers.
“It’s terrible when you lose your child,” said Drews. “I try to tell other mothers that we can lay down and die with our children or we can stand up and fight for justice and change. I will not shut up. I will not give up. I will not go away. That was my only child. We have to hold these drug dealers accountable for their actions.”
In observance of International Overdose Awareness Day celebrated each August 31, Drews, family members who have lost loved ones and various community groups will hold an overdose awareness event on Sunday, August 30, 2020, from 5 until 7:30 p.m. at the Vance County Courthouse in Henderson.
Drews has made a banner for the event consisting of 42 overdose victims from Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties. A national group called “Can You See Me Now” will also be present with multiple banners consisting of 150 names and faces each.
The event will include a balloon release, candlelight vigil, a remembrance walk, prayer and plenty of support for those in attendance.
To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 08-24-20 – Forest Planning
/by CharleneListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 2 PM Monday – Thursday.
Local News Audio 8-24-20 Noon
/by John C. RoseVance County Schools Meal Box Distribution Postponed Until Tuesday
Local Retail Sales Up, June Record Month
Granville County Teacher Arrested
Local Economic Development Grant Requests Approved
Click Play Below For Full Details…
Vance Commissioners to Discuss McGregor Hall Funding Request
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy the County of Vance
Vance County’s Intergovernmental Committee (Taylor, Feimster, Kelly) is scheduled to meet Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at 3 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room of the Vance County Administration Building located at 122 Young Street in Henderson.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss a funding request from McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center.
HPD: Three Arrested in Large Heroin Bust
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information and photos courtesy Henderson Police Department
On Wednesday, August 19, 2020, officers of the Henderson Police Department recovered 2,725 dosage units of heroin during a traffic stop and subsequent search warrant on a residence located at 200 A Wester Ave.
During the service of the warrant, drug manufacturing equipment, U.S. currency, marijuana, a semi-auto shotgun, and a stolen semi-auto pistol were located.
Amadeus Da Monte Yarborough, Katashia Tawanda Fisher, and Antonio Cooper were arrested in regards to this investigation.
All three subjects were charged with:
Antonio Cooper and Katashia Fisher had an additional charge of Possession of a Stolen Firearm.
Amadeus Yarborough received a $150,000 secured bond. Antonio Cooper received a $125,000 secured bond.
Katashia Fisher received a $175,000 secured bond.
City of Henderson Seeking Letters of Interest for Vacant Ward 4 Seat
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy the City of Henderson
Notice is hereby given that the City of Henderson’s Ward 4 Ward Seat is vacant and the City is seeking Letters of Interest.
Minimum qualifications:
Individuals who meet the minimum qualifications may obtain Letter of Interest instructions by contacting the City Clerk at emccrackin@ci.henderson.nc.us or by calling (252) 430-5705.
Letters of Interest must be submitted as original copies with original signatures and must be received by the City Clerk, 134 Rose Avenue, Henderson, NC 27536, no later than 5 p.m., September 4, 2020.
Incomplete Letters of Interest and/or those not received by the aforementioned deadline will not be considered by the Henderson City Council. All Letters of Interest are considered public records.
Sixty Dosage Units of Heroin Found in Vehicle Stop; Chavis Arrested
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release and photo, Vance County Sheriff’s Office
On Monday, August 10, 2020, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Narcotic Division stopped a vehicle traveling on East Andrews Avenue, Henderson, NC. As a result of the vehicle stop, the passenger inside the vehicle, Tyquilla Lavoya Chavis, (B/F, age 32) was detained.
During the vehicle stop, narcotic officers recovered 60 dosage units of Heroin from Chavis.
Chavis was brought to the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and charged with Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Heroin.
Chavis’ bond was set at $20,000.00 secured, and she is scheduled to appear in Vance County District Court on November 23, 2020.
This investigation is continuing.
Tyquilla Lavoya Chavis
Warren Co. Parks and Recreation Department Seeks Contract Instructors
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Warren County Government
The Warren County Parks and Recreation Department is currently looking for contract instructors to teach recreation classes.
If you or someone you know have a way with people and a flair for arts, crafts, sports clinics, exercise classes, or other specialty classes, share your special skill and become a contract instructor with Warren County Parks and Recreation. These opportunities can be conducted virtually and, when it is safe to do so, the department will offer these classes in an in-person, group setting.
Instructors can set their class schedules, title, content, and subject (with the approval of the Recreation Department and dependent upon facility availability).
Instructors enrich program diversity and contribute to the overall success of program offerings. Interested individuals must first submit a Class Instructor Proposal Form; upon approval, instructors must pass a background check.
For more information and to obtain an interest form, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (252) 257-2272.
Butner-Stem Middle School Teacher Arrested on Child Exploitation Charges
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, NC State Bureau of Investigation
On Friday, August 7, 2020, special agents with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation’s (SBI) Computer Crimes Unit (CCU) arrested a teacher from Butner-Stem Middle School. Bobby Scott Nealey, 50, of Wake Forest, North Carolina, has been charged with nine counts of 2nd-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
The investigation began after a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline. It was reported to NCMEC via a social media site that a user had uploaded child sexual exploitation (CSE) material.
Nealey is a 6th-grade teacher and wrestling coach at Butner-Stem Middle School. He was arrested on Friday, August 7, 2020, at approximately 6 p.m. at his residence. After going before a magistrate, Nealey was issued a $400,000 secured bond for nine counts of 2nd-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and was taken to the Granville County Detention Center.
This is an ongoing investigation. If you have any additional information, please contact the SBI at (919) 662-4500. No additional information is available at this time.
Vance Co. Schools Meal Distribution Postponed to August 25
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy Vance County Schools
Due to nationwide delays in the delivery of supplies, Vance County Schools must postpone its Monday, August 24 meal box distribution to Tuesday, August 25, 2020.
The pick-up time, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., and location, Vance County Middle School, remain unchanged.