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-Press Release, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
On March 27, 2020, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit arrested three individuals for multiple drug offenses related to possessing and attempting to distribute controlled substances to inmates at Franklin Correctional Center in Bunn, NC.
The investigation began when a citizen observed a vehicle stop in front of the Franklin Correctional Center, and one of the passengers jumped out and threw an object over the fence. The concerned citizen contacted the Franklin County Sheriff‘s Office to report the incident and was able to provide information that aided deputies in locating and stopping the vehicle.
Ditereal Harris (FCSO photo)
Once the vehicle was stopped, members of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit contacted employees at Franklin Correctional Center and were informed that two of their correctional officers also observed the incident and were able to quickly locate the item thrown over the fence. The correctional officers were able to confirm that controlled substances were in the item thrown over the fence.
Drug Unit detectives retrieved the item and discovered marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines and MDMA inside the item thrown over the fence. As a result, Ditereal Harris, Xavier White and Rotonia Lowery Moore, all of Raeford, NC, were arrested.
Sheriff Kent Winstead stated, “This case began when a concerned citizen saw something suspicious and they acted. By calling the Sheriff‘s Office and giving vital information, our deputies were able to find and stop the vehicle. The investigation that developed as a result of their initiative kept dangerous drugs out of the hands of individuals inside of Franklin Correctional Center.”
Xavier White (FCSO photo)
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit was assisted in this investigation by the Franklin Correctional Center. This investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected.
Ditereal Harris – 310 Locust Lane Raeford, NC 28376, 18-years-old
Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine, Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana, Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver Heroin, Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver Methamphetamines, Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver MDMA, Deliver Cocaine, Deliver Marijuana, Deliver Heroin, Deliver Methamphetamines, Deliver MDMA, Felony Possession of Marijuana.
Xavier White – 526 East 6th Avenue Raeford, NC 28376, 18-years-old
Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine, Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana, Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver Heroin, Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver Methamphetamines, Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver MDMA, Deliver Cocaine, Deliver Marijuana, Deliver Heroin, Deliver Methamphetamines, Deliver MDMA, Felony Possession of Marijuana.
Rotonia Lowery Moore (FCSO photo)
Ditereal Harris and Xavier White are both being held in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $500,000 secured bond.
Rotonia Lowery Moore – 116 Dalmation Drive Raeford, NC 28376, 33-years-old
Maintain a Vehicle for the purpose of Storing Controlled Substances.
Rotonia Lowery Moore was given an $15,000 unsecured bond.
For more information concerning this investigation or to report drug activity in your neighborhood, please contact Sgt. Ken Pike at (919) 496–2186.
Donations, Volunteers Needed to Keep Granville Children’s Meal Service Going
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools
Granville County Public Schools is reaching out to update you on our meal service for children in our community. First, please allow us to celebrate that we have served almost 3,300 lunches and 3,300 breakfasts at 29 sites across the county!
That brings our total to almost 50,000 meals served to children in just the last two weeks!
We will continue to offer this meal service as long as we possibly can. Please know, however, that the week after next – from April 10 to 17, we will suspend our meal service as our traditional calendar staff will not be working. During that time, efforts are underway for the community to help step in and provide meal options for students.
Plans are still in the works, but if you are interested in making a monetary donation to help offset the cost of these meals for children, you can stop by the Oxford or Creedmoor Union Bank branch and ask bank staff how you can support the community-led children’s meal program.
More information will follow soon on how folks in the community can volunteer or donate packaged food to this effort as well.
We thank you all in advance for supporting our children and our community. We truly will get through these difficult times together.
Reported COVID-19 Cases Hold Steady in Vance; Stay at Home Order Goes Into Effect
/by WIZS StaffTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
-Information courtesy Brian Short, Director of H-V Emergency Operations
Today, there are no local changes from the previous situation report. However, as we move further into the Coronavirus worldwide pandemic, please keep in mind this continues to be a very fluid situation and the information provided and included could change at any time.
The confirmed cases of COVID-19 continue to increase throughout the state, nation and, in fact, the world. We continue to coordinate with public health agencies, Maria Parham Health, Department of Social Services, State Emergency Management and our local emergency services response partners. We are communicating several times daily in an attempt to gauge their needs and be as proactive in meeting those needs as we can be.
Governor Cooper’s Executive Order 121, advising North Carolina residents to stay at home goes into effect at 5 p.m. today. This is an attempt to reduce the number of individuals being infected with the COVID-19 virus in our state.
With the issuance of this order, we have now seen a significant increase in calls into the 911 center with general questions regarding the order and to what extent individuals are permitted to move around now that it is in place. 911 personnel are not equipped to answer questions of this nature nor is it their responsibility to do so.
We are asking residents NOT to call 911 for any general questions pertaining to the Coronavirus. As always, 911 is for emergencies only. Calling 911 for general questions and other non-emergency reasons could actually delay help for someone with a true emergency.
211 has established a hotline for this purpose, and we ask that our citizens contact their local physician or take advantage of the hotline if they have medical-related questions. There is also a toll-free Coronavirus hotline manned by trained individuals that can answer questions that you may have. The number is 888-892-1162.
You may also visit the NC Department of Health and Human Services website at the following link: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina
As of the creation of this situation report, Vance County has three (3) positive cases of the Coronavirus. All individuals continue to be isolated at home and our local health department is actively conducting contact tracing to determine the level of exposure to others. At this time, we are not implementing any changes to our current response posture nor are we altering our recommendations to the general public.
Testing is ongoing through both Maria Parham Health, our local Health Department and private institutions. There are currently 1,307 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in North Carolina and thus far six (6) deaths. Please visit the NC Department of Health and Human Services Coronavirus statistics page at the following link to stay current on the number of cases in our state: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-case-count-nc
Personal protective equipment (PPE) continues to be very scarce as global competition for the same supplies is occurring. Responders and health care providers are being encouraged to reuse PPE, in particular, masks as often as possible to ensure that we hold on to our supplies for as long as possible. Once they run out, they could be out for an extended period of time.
We continue to wait for previously submitted requests for PPE and related resources to State EM to be filled and we are hopeful that they will be very soon.
Vance County and the City of Henderson continue to operate under a local State of Emergency. Being under a local state of emergency allows implementing certain emergency protective measures if or when they should become necessary.
The Emergency Operations Center is currently not activated, however, our Emergency Management staff is closely monitoring the situation across the country and at home on a continuous basis.
The 911 Telecommunicators are asking additional Coronavirus screening questions on all medical-related calls and will continue to do so until it is no longer needed. Our Backup 911 center remains prepped and ready to be occupied if needed.
This week, a number of area churches will be participating in Spring Break Meal Pickup in cooperation with Vance County Schools. This will occur on Tuesday, March 31 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Both the Henderson Police Department and Vance County Sheriff’s Office are now responding to non-emergency calls via telephone but are still responding as they always have to emergency calls.
During the COVID-19 crisis, the Henderson Family YMCA is offering emergency child care for essential employees. You may inquire as to the details on their website at www.hendersonymca.org.
We continue to encourage our citizens as they shop for groceries and other related items to please shop smart. Our local convenience stores and grocery stores and working hard to restock their shelves and, for the most part, items are available for them to do so, however, we have to allow them to do that. That means using good shopping practices and buying only what you need for yourself and your family. The fact that the governor has issued a Stay at Home Order does not mean that individuals are not allowed to leave their homes to shop for groceries.
We are strongly encouraging our citizens to continue to observe the social distancing parameters and closing orders being issued by the Governor and suggested by our local and state public health agencies.
Our office will continue to monitor this event very closely and will continue to issue informational releases as the situation develops.
McKoon, E.O. Young Principal, Completes Distinguished Leadership Program
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, NCPAPA
Marylaura McKoon, principal of E. O. Young Elementary School, recently completed the Distinguished Leadership Program (DLP), a year-long leadership development program for practicing school principals designed and provided by the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principal’s Association and sponsored by the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development (NCASLD.)
Pictured left to right: Dr. Thomas Williams, Interim Exec. Director — Public School Forum, Marylaura McKoon, principal of E. O. Young Elementary School, and Dr. Shirley Prince, Executive Director, NC Principals and Assistant Principals Association. (Photo courtesy VCS)
The Distinguished Leadership in Practice Program (DLP) uses a non-traditional professional development model that is aligned to the performance evaluation standards adopted by the State Board of Education for North Carolina’s school leaders. This unique cohort-based program is designed to limit principals’ time away from their schools by allowing them to attend face-to-face sessions once every other month while accessing on-line assignments, materials and coaching in between face-to-face sessions.
Principals engage in a series of authentic activities throughout the year-long experience that are designed to build the capacity of their schools and their own capacity as “Distinguished” school leaders.
“The leadership of the school principal is by far one of the most important factors in school quality. By completing this very rigorous program, our DLP graduates have demonstrated their commitment to continuous improvement by working to improve their leadership skills as they simultaneously improve their schools. We are proud to include them in the ranks of successful DLP completers,” said Dr. Shirley Prince, NCPAPA Executive Director.
This program is offered in Chapel Hill and serves principals in all eight regions of the state.
The North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principals’ Association (NCPAPA), in existence since 1976, is the preeminent organization and state voice for principals, assistant principals and aspiring school leaders. NCPAPA represents 5,000+ members from across the state and serves as the state’s principal affiliate of the N.C. Association of School Administrators (NCASA), the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
Participants recently completed the Distinguished Leadership Program (DLP), a year-long leadership development program for practicing school principals designed and provided by the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principal’s Association and sponsored by the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development (NCASLD.) (Photo courtesy VCS)
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 03/30/20
/by Charlene100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Three Arrested After Drugs Thrown Over Fence at Franklin Correctional Center
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
On March 27, 2020, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit arrested three individuals for multiple drug offenses related to possessing and attempting to distribute controlled substances to inmates at Franklin Correctional Center in Bunn, NC.
The investigation began when a citizen observed a vehicle stop in front of the Franklin Correctional Center, and one of the passengers jumped out and threw an object over the fence. The concerned citizen contacted the Franklin County Sheriff‘s Office to report the incident and was able to provide information that aided deputies in locating and stopping the vehicle.
Ditereal Harris (FCSO photo)
Once the vehicle was stopped, members of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit contacted employees at Franklin Correctional Center and were informed that two of their correctional officers also observed the incident and were able to quickly locate the item thrown over the fence. The correctional officers were able to confirm that controlled substances were in the item thrown over the fence.
Drug Unit detectives retrieved the item and discovered marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines and MDMA inside the item thrown over the fence. As a result, Ditereal Harris, Xavier White and Rotonia Lowery Moore, all of Raeford, NC, were arrested.
Sheriff Kent Winstead stated, “This case began when a concerned citizen saw something suspicious and they acted. By calling the Sheriff‘s Office and giving vital information, our deputies were able to find and stop the vehicle. The investigation that developed as a result of their initiative kept dangerous drugs out of the hands of individuals inside of Franklin Correctional Center.”
Xavier White (FCSO photo)
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit was assisted in this investigation by the Franklin Correctional Center. This investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected.
Ditereal Harris – 310 Locust Lane Raeford, NC 28376, 18-years-old
Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine, Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana, Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver Heroin, Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver Methamphetamines, Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver MDMA, Deliver Cocaine, Deliver Marijuana, Deliver Heroin, Deliver Methamphetamines, Deliver MDMA, Felony Possession of Marijuana.
Xavier White – 526 East 6th Avenue Raeford, NC 28376, 18-years-old
Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine, Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana, Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver Heroin, Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver Methamphetamines, Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver MDMA, Deliver Cocaine, Deliver Marijuana, Deliver Heroin, Deliver Methamphetamines, Deliver MDMA, Felony Possession of Marijuana.
Rotonia Lowery Moore (FCSO photo)
Ditereal Harris and Xavier White are both being held in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $500,000 secured bond.
Rotonia Lowery Moore – 116 Dalmation Drive Raeford, NC 28376, 33-years-old
Maintain a Vehicle for the purpose of Storing Controlled Substances.
Rotonia Lowery Moore was given an $15,000 unsecured bond.
For more information concerning this investigation or to report drug activity in your neighborhood, please contact Sgt. Ken Pike at (919) 496–2186.
Perry Library Remains Closed; Many Resources Available Online
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy Perry Memorial Library
Although the Perry Memorial Library in downtown Henderson is closed until further notice, the library’s online home page has been updated to better highlight the most important resources for patrons. No overdue fees will be charged while the library is closed.
The library is currently working to give access to Overdrive for StudentAccess patrons and will update the home page with instructions as soon as it is resolved.
Please let the library know if there is something you are having difficulty accessing or something that should be added to the home page.
TownTalk 03/30/2020 (Places You Can Go)
/by John C. RoseTownTalk for Monday, March 30, 2020
TownTalk airs M-F on WIZS, Henderson at 11 a.m. Listen at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / streamed live at wizs.com and with Tunein and on smart connected devices and speakers.
NC Gov. Roy Cooper; Covid-19; Executive Order 121; Where you can go; Stay at Home
Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington, message of assurance and request for adherence to Exec Order 121
Vance County Schools meal pickup for the week; One day this week; March 31 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Texting Tool Available to Access Local Free Meal Sites for NC Children
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper
Governor Roy Cooper announced last week that parents who need food assistance for their children can text FOODNC to 877-877 to locate nearby free meal sites. The texting service is also available in Spanish by texting COMIDA to 877-877.
After entering their address, parents will receive a text with the location and serving times for nearby pick-up and drive-thru free meal sites while schools are closed. Sites have been set up across the state for families with children ages 18 and younger, including preschool children, who rely on free and reduced-price meals at school.
“School closings mean no meals for some of our most vulnerable children. Now families have an easier way to find food during these times of financial stress,” Governor Cooper said.
Parents can also call 2-1-1 to speak with an operator who will help them locate meal sites in their community. The 2-1-1 service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Services are provided in English, Spanish and many other languages.
Additionally, No Kid Hungry has created a map of local school sites, community organizations and food assistance programs across North Carolina where families can access food. The interactive map can be viewed at nokidhungrync.org/covid19/ and is updated daily.
The Governor’s North Carolina COVID-19 Education and Nutrition Working Group, co-chaired by the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and the NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), worked in partnership with state and community organizations such as No Kid Hungry to set up the texting program.
School sites and community organizations providing food are experiencing a high demand for services and rely on dedicated volunteers to provide meals. NCDHHS and NCDPI ask that people who are not at high-risk for severe illness associated with COVID-19 sign up to volunteer to prepare meals. Those interested in volunteering should call their local school district office, community organization or visit volunteernc.org.
For more information and additional guidance on regulations and recommendations related to the health threat from COVID-19, please visit the NCDHHS website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus and CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
Henderson City Council’s April Meeting Canceled
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson, NC
Due to the coronavirus and the Stay at Home Order issued by Governor Roy Cooper, the Henderson City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, April 13, 2020, at 6 p.m. has been canceled.
If a meeting is scheduled prior to the regularly scheduled meeting in May, proper notification will be issued.
Governor Announces First COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits Will be Paid This Week
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper
On Sunday, Governor Roy Cooper announced that the first payments for the unemployment claims related to coronavirus will begin going out this week. The Division of Employment Security has received an unprecedented number of unemployment insurance claims since Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 118 on March 17.
In the past two weeks, approximately 270,000 claims have been filed, with most of them related to COVID-19. For comparison, the state received about 7,500 claims in the first two weeks of March, before the order was issued.
“Thousands of workers have lost jobs, but their bills don’t stop. My administration is working overtime to get unemployment checks out now. We’ll keep pushing every day for more state and federal help to save our workers and their families,” said Governor Cooper.
On Saturday, the Governor directed the Division of Employment Security to begin implementing the unemployment insurance provisions of the federal CARES Act. The Division of Employment of Security expects to receive guidance from the federal government later this week about how to implement the changes, including the change that allows for an additional $600 in unemployment benefits. The state expects those payments to begin approximately two weeks after that guidance is provided.
Workers applying for benefits must complete their weekly certifications in order to receive unemployment insurance payments. The weekly certification is a series of ‘yes or no’ questions that help determine a person’s eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits each week. If a person does not complete a weekly certification, they will not receive a payment for that week.
The weekly certification must be completed through the individual’s online account at des.nc.gov.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROCESS
For general questions about unemployment benefits in North Carolina during the COVID-19 crisis, contact the Division of Employment Security.
For more information and additional guidance on regulations and recommendations related to the health threat from COVID-19, please visit the NCDHHS website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus and CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.