Vance County Sheriff's Office

VCSO: Two Arrested on Cocaine, Drug Charges During Traffic Stop

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-Press Release, Vance County Sheriff’s Office

On July 11, 2020, at 1:41 p.m., the Vance County Sheriff‘s Office Narcotics Division was on routine patrol and conducted a traffic stop at 28 Gholson Place in Henderson, NC.

Arrested at the scene were Demetris Mellon (B/M; Age 29) for Possession with the Intent to Manufacture Sell/Deliver Cocaine and Felony Maintaining a Vehicle, and Charles Woodard (B/M; Age 29) for Possession of Cocaine.

Mellon and Woodard were taken before the magistrate. Mellon received a $10,000 secured bond, and Woodard received a $4,000 secured bond.

The court date was set for September 14, 2020, in Vance County District Court for both Mellon and Woodard.

This investigation is continuing.

Demetris Mellon Mug Shot

Demetris Mellon

Antavian Cornelius Yancey

Yancey Believed to be Armed and Dangerous

— press release from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

Subject: Antavian Cornelius Yancey

Aliases: Cornelius Yancey and Antavian Yancey

On Thursday, July 16, 2020, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division received a call reference smoke in a wooded area. Upon the arrival of Deputies and the Vance County Fire Department on the scene, a vehicle was fully engulfed.

Members of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division responded to investigate the vehicle fire along with North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation’s Arson Unit.

On July 17, 2020, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division received a phone call from Burlington Police Department reference to Burlington Police Department locating the body of a black female that was believed to be from Henderson, North Carolina. The female was identified as Charisma Robinson, age 35.

Investigators began to investigate these incidents and developed that the two cases were connected. Participating agencies from the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, Henderson Police Department, Burlington Police Department and North Carolina State Bureau of investigation began a collaborative effort to solve the murder of Charisma Robinson.

Through the investigation a person of interest was developed and later identified as a subject/suspect in this matter.

On July 24, 2020 a warrant for Murder and Burning of Personnel Property was issued for Antavian Cornelius Yancey (B/M/ Age 34), regarding the death of Charisma Robinson.

Yancey is believed to be armed and dangerous.  If located please contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at 252-738-2200.

Malik Royster

Royster Arrested in Heroin Drug Bust at Lakeview, White Oak Drive in Henderson

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-Press Release, Vance County Sheriff’s Office

On Thursday, July 16, 2020, at 1:45 p.m., the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division conducted a buy/bust at Lakeview and White Oak Drive in Henderson, NC.

Arrested during the incident was Malik Rayquan Royster (B/M; Age 24) for the Sell and Deliver of Heroin and Possession of Firearm by a Felon.

Royster was taken before the magistrate, and his bond was set at $25,000 secured. Royster’s court date was set for September 14, 2020, in Vance County District Court.

This investigation is continuing.

Malik Rayquan Royster (Photo courtesy VCSO)

City of Oxford

Fire Department, City of Oxford Encourage Residents to Develop Home Escape Plan

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-Information courtesy the City of Oxford

The Oxford Fire Department and the City of Oxford stress the importance of understanding what to do and where to go if there is a fire in your home.

According to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) surveys, only one of every three American households have developed and practiced a home fire escape plan. Out of 71% of American households with a fire escape plan, only 47% have practiced it; and, one-third of American households believed they would have at least six minutes before a fire in their home would become threatening, whereas, in reality, the time is less.

So, what can you do to prepare yourself and your family? 

  • MAKE a home escape plan; draw a map of your home including all doors and windows and make sure to discuss the plan with everyone living in your home.
  • KNOW at least two ways out of every room, if possible.
  • HAVE an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home.
  • PRACTICE your home fire drill at least twice a year and PRACTICE using different ways out.
  • TEACH children how to escape on their own in case you cannot help.
  • CLOSE doors behind you as you leave;  a closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire.
  • INSTALL smoke alarms inside every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home.
  • TEST smoke alarms monthly.
  • If your smoke alarms sound, GET OUT AND STAY OUT.
  • If you have to escape through smoke, GET LOW AND GO UNDER.
  • CALL the fire department from outside your home. 

Planning ahead for a fire can make a difference in your life and your family’s lives. All of the information provided and more education tips can be found on the NFPA website at nfpa.org

If you have any questions and/or concerns, please feel free to reach out to the Oxford Fire Department at (919) 603-1140, by email at ofd@oxfordnc.org or call Oxford City Hall at (919) 603-1100.

Local News Audio 07/24/20

Local News Audio from WIZS, Your Community Voice, at Noon

  • Local Covid Testing Sites
  • Local Schools Opening
  • Local Chamber Teacher Gift Bags
  • WIZS Beach Music Blast and the Carolina Beach Music Awards

Beach Music Blast

WIZS Hopes to Continue Streak of Carolina Beach Music Award Nominations

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WIZS Beach Music Blast host Trey Snide, who was instrumental in launching the beach music segment that broadcasts from 12 – 1 p.m. on WIZS 1450 AM and 100.1 FM Monday-Friday, was on Wednesday’s edition of Town Talk to discuss the Carolina Beach Music Awards (CBMA).

The annual CBMA (originally called the Cammys for Carolina’s Magic Music Years) began in 1995 as a way to celebrate and recognize performers and fans of Carolina Beach Music.

Snide said he is honored to have been nominated for the past two years as FM DJ of the Year. This year, the CBMA will combine its previously separate FM, AM and Online DJ categories into one single DJ category.

WIZS 1450 AM was also represented on the CBMA nomination list in 2019 for AM Radio Station of the Year.

Originally due in July, the nomination deadline for the 2020 CBMA has been extended through September. The 26th CBMA Show Weekend is scheduled to take place in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina November 12-15.

For more information on the CBMA, please visit www.cammy.org.

To hear the interview with Snide in its entirety, please click the play button above.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Local GVPH COVID-19 Update: No Reported Vance Co. Deaths in Last 17 Days

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

The following is an update for COVID-19 spread and response in Granville and Vance County as of July 23, 2020. Granville Vance Public Health numbers correlate with the NC Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NCEDSS) data.

The county case numbers reported on the NC county map from the NC Department of Health and Human Services may differ from the ones reported locally as they are updated at different times and may change once residence is verified.

Granville County

1,075 positive test results for COVID-19 in Granville County.

Of those 1,075, 569 are community-spread cases located across Granville County. Of those 569, 446 have been released from isolation, and eight are hospitalized.

Of those 1,075 cases, 492 are affiliated with the prison system in Granville County. Of those 492, 74 have been released from isolation.

Of those 1,075 total positive cases, 14 are associated with an outbreak at long term care facilities including six at Murdoch Development Center, two at Central Regional Hospital, one at Brantwood Nursing and Rehab Center, and five at Universal Health Care in Oxford, NC.

Of the 14 cases in long term care facilities in Granville County, five have been released from isolation.

There have been a total of 25 deaths in Granville County, three in the community, one at Central Regional Hospital, and 21 of whom were associated with the Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Complex.

Vance County

642 positive test results for COVID-19 in Vance County.

Of those 642, 519 are community-spread cases located across Vance County. Of those 519, 400 have been released from isolation.

Of those 642, 123 are associated with outbreaks at congregate living facilities including 48 cases associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home and 17 associated with Senior Citizens Home. The outbreak at Pelican Health nursing home is no longer active.

Of the 123 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 44 have been released from isolation.

Three individuals in Vance County are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 40 deaths in Vance County, 14 of whom were associated with the Pelican Health nursing home outbreak, 11 of whom were associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, and two of whom were associated with Senior Citizens Home.

WIZS Note: There are 119 total active cases in the Vance County community at large at this time. This is an increase of 18 active cases since Monday, July 20, 2020. All congregate living facility numbers are still stable. The total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Vance County has not increased since July 6.

Additional Information

The number of those who have been ‘released from isolation’ is determined by the CDC Guidance for discontinuation of isolation for persons with COVID-19.

Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information from Granville Vance Public Health and to sign up for daily email updates.

Gang Free

NCCU Names Melissa Elliott Community Facilitator; Gang Free to be COVID Testing Site

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Henderson City Councilperson Melissa Elliott has been named the Community Facilitator for Vance County with North Carolina Central University. Her actions as a facilitator for Covid-19 testing will take place with her community advocacy agency called Gang Free.

Elliott told WIZS News, “In partnership with the Health Department, Gang Free will be a testing site for Covid-19.”

Plans are still being finalized, but testing is expected to begin in August. Elliott said, “I should have a specific date early next week.”

WIZS TownTalk at 11 a.m. will have Elliott back to explain more in the next couple of weeks.

COVID-19 Testing

Warren Co. Health Dept., Vidant Health to Offer COVID Testing Event

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-Information courtesy Warren County Government

The Warren County Health Department is partnering with Vidant Health to offer a COVID-19 Community Testing Event at  Olive Grove Missionary Baptist Church (915 Eaton Ferry Road, Littleton, NC) July 27 – 29, 2020.

Testing will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. on Monday, July 27 and Wednesday, July 29, and from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28.

Appointments are not required, and no fees will be collected for the test. Testing is available for those with and without insurance. For those with coverage, Vidant will bill the insurance company; there are no co-pays.

For more information on the testing event, please contact Crystal Dempsey at (252) 702-2535. To learn more about staying safe, visit vidanthealth.com/safecommunity or call (252) 847-8000.