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This is a joint statement of the Granville County Board of Commissioners and the Granville County Sheriff’s Office.
The Granville County Board of Commissioners appointed Charles R. Noblin, Jr. sheriff this evening to fulfill the unexpired term of Brindell B. Wilkins, Jr. Mr. Noblin will take the oath of office at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. Mr. Noblin is an eighteen-year veteran of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office. He is currently the sergeant in charge of the Civil Division.
The Granville County Board of Commissioners appointed Charles R. Noblin, Jr. sheriff to fulfill the unexpired term of Brindell B. Wilkins, Jr. Mr. Noblin will take the oath of office at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)
The Granville County Board of Commissioners wants to thank Chief Deputy Sherwood Boyd for his leadership in fulfilling the duties of the office of the sheriff since Mr. Wilkins was suspended on September 23, 2019. The decision to name Mr. Noblin was taken in consultation with Mr. Boyd.
Mr. Boyd is eligible to retire in early 2021. While he has not made a decision to retire at this time, he believes that the men and women of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office deserve an assurance of continuity for the balance of Mr. Wilkins’ unexpired term which ends in December 2022. Mr. Noblin has advised me that he intends to swear Mr. Boyd in as his chief deputy.
The order suspending Mr. Wilkins remains in effect at least until the resolution of the two felony charges of obstruction of justice with which he has been indicted. As Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman has publicly announced, there is a continued, ongoing state and federal investigation into the activities of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office during Mr. Wilkins’ tenure.
The Commissioners’ action recognizes that it could be months or years before the issues involving Mr. Wilkins are resolved.
The ongoing investigations are focused on individuals and not the Granville County Sheriff’s Office as a whole. The Commissioners appreciate the dedicated and honorable service of the vast majority of the employees of the Sheriff’s Office and wish to publicly thank them for the outstanding job they have done under difficult circumstances.
We look forward to and expect to continue and enhance cooperation between the Granville County Sheriff’s Office and its state and federal prosecutorial and law enforcement partners. The various law enforcement agencies can only operate effectively where there is open communication and respect between those offices that focus on the safety, security, and rights of the people served.
We wish to remind the public that Brindell B. Wilkins, Jr. remains innocent until proven guilty. No action taken by the Commissioners should be read to be a judgment as to his guilt or innocence. Rather, the actions taken are to ensure the continued, effective operation of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office until the ongoing investigations are finished and the legal proceedings against him are concluded.
Mr. Noblin’s appointment as sheriff gives him full authority over the Granville County Sheriff’s Office. The Commissioners give Mr. Noblin their full support to make any changes reasonably necessary for the effective organization of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office including taking steps to reconstitute a drug investigations unit.
The Commissioners pledge the support needed to ensure the Granville County Sheriff’s Office can provide professional law enforcement, detention, court security, school security, and civil process services in a fair and impartial manner that protects and preserves the Constitutional Rights of the people it serves.
Due to personnel issues and the ongoing state and federal investigations, no further statements will be issued.
James C. Wrenn, Jr., Attorney at Law, provided WIZS News with the following clarification after publication of the above press release:
Due to questions received, I want to add that Mr. Wilkins remains suspended. He has not been permanently removed from office. It is possible that he could return to office if he is not convicted of a felony or if no other grounds for removal exist. Please see the statute below:
- 128-19. Suspension pending hearing; how vacancy filled. Upon the filing of the petition in the office of the clerk of the superior court, and the presentation of the same to the judge, the judge may suspend the accused from office if in his judgment sufficient cause appear from the petition and affidavit, or affidavits, which may be presented in support of the charges contained therein. In case of suspension, as herein provided, the temporary vacancy shall be filled in the manner provided by law for filling of the vacancies in such office.(P.L. 1913, c. 761, s. 23; 1919, c. 288; C.S., s. 3211.)
Director of Henderson-Based Not-for-Profit Sentenced for Theft of Federal Funds
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today in federal court, United States District Judge James C. Dever III sentenced COMULUS LATEZES BRIDGES, 41, of Douglasville, Georgia to 15 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $209,877 in restitution. On July 10, 2019, BRIDGES pled guilty to theft of federal childcare and adult food program funds.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program that, among other things, is designed to provide food assistance to young children in out-of-home care. The At-Risk Afterschool Meals (ARAM) component of CAFCP offers federal funding to qualifying afterschool programs that serve meals and snacks to children in low-income areas.
BRIDGES was the director of Beyond the Barriers Outreach, Inc. (“BTBO”), a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Henderson, North Carolina. In 2012, BTBO, through BRIDGES, applied for and was approved to participate in the ARAM component of CACFP. BTBO was authorized to receive reimbursement for afterschool meals and snacks that BRIDGES claimed would be served to school-aged students at its afterschool center located in Henderson.
BTBO participated in CACFP from January 2013 to April 2016. During this period, BRIDGES submitted monthly claims for reimbursement for daily meals and snacks purportedly served to as many as 90 students at its Henderson afterschool center. However, the investigation revealed that BRIDGES’ claims were false.
Soon after BTBO was approved by CACFP, BRIDGES moved to Georgia and did not operate an afterschool program in Henderson. Due to BRIDGES’ non-payment of utility bills, the afterschool center was without electricity, gas, and water/sewer services most of the time period during which BRIDGES claimed to operate an afterschool program.
As a result of the fraud, BRIDGES received $209,887 in unauthorized payments. Most of the fraudulently obtained funds were diverted to BRIDGES’ personal expenses in Georgia, such as restaurants, gas, apartment lease, cell phone bill, beauty supplies, massages, and payments associated with a Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceeding.
The United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Toby Lathan represented the government.
Gang Free Inc. to Offer Overnight Shelter, Free Meal Wed. Evening
/by WIZS StaffTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Melissa Elliott, the founder of Gang Free Inc., announced that the local Gang Free facility will be open the evening of Wednesday, January 8, 2020, for those who need shelter from temperatures that are expected to drop below 25 degrees.
Located at 940 County Home Road in Henderson, Elliott told WIZS News that those needing a place to sleep and shelter from the cold can begin arriving at 7 p.m. on Wednesday evening and will depart by 6 a.m. on Thursday, January 9.
Men, women and children are welcome. A hot dinner will be served Wednesday evening and breakfast will be provided early Thursday morning before departure.
According to Elliott, mental health professionals will also be available through the evening to assist those who may be in crisis mode, or just need a little extra help and support.
To learn more about Gang Free Inc., to become a volunteer or to donate, please visit the organization’s website at www.gangfreeinc.org.
Swearing-In Ceremony for Newly Appointed Granville Sheriff Set for Jan. 8
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Granville County Government
The swearing-in ceremony of the newly-appointed Granville County Sheriff Charles R. Noblin, Jr., will be held in the Superior Courtroom of the Granville County Courthouse on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, at 5:15 p.m.
The Granville County Courthouse is located at 101 Main Street in Oxford.
Please click here to read the joint statement of the Granville County Board of Commissioners and the Granville County Sheriff’s Office on the appointment of Noblin.
Charles R. Noblin, Jr. Appointed Granville Co. Sheriff
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
This is a joint statement of the Granville County Board of Commissioners and the Granville County Sheriff’s Office.
The Granville County Board of Commissioners appointed Charles R. Noblin, Jr. sheriff this evening to fulfill the unexpired term of Brindell B. Wilkins, Jr. Mr. Noblin will take the oath of office at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. Mr. Noblin is an eighteen-year veteran of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office. He is currently the sergeant in charge of the Civil Division.
The Granville County Board of Commissioners appointed Charles R. Noblin, Jr. sheriff to fulfill the unexpired term of Brindell B. Wilkins, Jr. Mr. Noblin will take the oath of office at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)
The Granville County Board of Commissioners wants to thank Chief Deputy Sherwood Boyd for his leadership in fulfilling the duties of the office of the sheriff since Mr. Wilkins was suspended on September 23, 2019. The decision to name Mr. Noblin was taken in consultation with Mr. Boyd.
Mr. Boyd is eligible to retire in early 2021. While he has not made a decision to retire at this time, he believes that the men and women of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office deserve an assurance of continuity for the balance of Mr. Wilkins’ unexpired term which ends in December 2022. Mr. Noblin has advised me that he intends to swear Mr. Boyd in as his chief deputy.
The order suspending Mr. Wilkins remains in effect at least until the resolution of the two felony charges of obstruction of justice with which he has been indicted. As Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman has publicly announced, there is a continued, ongoing state and federal investigation into the activities of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office during Mr. Wilkins’ tenure.
The Commissioners’ action recognizes that it could be months or years before the issues involving Mr. Wilkins are resolved.
The ongoing investigations are focused on individuals and not the Granville County Sheriff’s Office as a whole. The Commissioners appreciate the dedicated and honorable service of the vast majority of the employees of the Sheriff’s Office and wish to publicly thank them for the outstanding job they have done under difficult circumstances.
We look forward to and expect to continue and enhance cooperation between the Granville County Sheriff’s Office and its state and federal prosecutorial and law enforcement partners. The various law enforcement agencies can only operate effectively where there is open communication and respect between those offices that focus on the safety, security, and rights of the people served.
We wish to remind the public that Brindell B. Wilkins, Jr. remains innocent until proven guilty. No action taken by the Commissioners should be read to be a judgment as to his guilt or innocence. Rather, the actions taken are to ensure the continued, effective operation of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office until the ongoing investigations are finished and the legal proceedings against him are concluded.
Mr. Noblin’s appointment as sheriff gives him full authority over the Granville County Sheriff’s Office. The Commissioners give Mr. Noblin their full support to make any changes reasonably necessary for the effective organization of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office including taking steps to reconstitute a drug investigations unit.
The Commissioners pledge the support needed to ensure the Granville County Sheriff’s Office can provide professional law enforcement, detention, court security, school security, and civil process services in a fair and impartial manner that protects and preserves the Constitutional Rights of the people it serves.
Due to personnel issues and the ongoing state and federal investigations, no further statements will be issued.
James C. Wrenn, Jr., Attorney at Law, provided WIZS News with the following clarification after publication of the above press release:
Due to questions received, I want to add that Mr. Wilkins remains suspended. He has not been permanently removed from office. It is possible that he could return to office if he is not convicted of a felony or if no other grounds for removal exist. Please see the statute below:
Commissioners Vote to Add Middleburg to Vance Co. Zoning Jurisdiction
/by John C. Rose100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
The Vance County Board of Commissioners met Monday evening, and Chairman Gordon Wilder and the full board administered two public hearings.
The first was a pre-budget public hearing in which suggestions and priorities could be voiced by residents. The only people who actually spoke were Frankie Nobles, Chief of Vance County Animal Services, and Michelle Wood, the Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society’s rescue coordinator.
Overall, their remarks were to demonstrate the continued success Vance County is seeing as a result of the “outstanding partnership between the shelter and RCAPS,” Nobles said.
Wood told WIZS News that the Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society “pulled 760 dogs and 686 cats for a total of 1,446 animals in 2019. Fifty-five were medical cases averaging $1,000 per medical case.”
There is an obvious opportunity for Vance County to allocate more towards animal services, given the tremendous benefit and results being enjoyed as a result of the public-private partnership presently at hand.
The second public hearing resulted in a unanimous vote to add the town limits of Middleburg to the Vance County Zoning Jurisdiction.
Middleburg Mayor Ray Bullock addressed the commissioners and said Middleburg’s old zoning ordinance was created in 1974, a time he said a handshake would really take care of things and when “neighbors looked after each other.” He said, “We appreciate you all looking at this.”
Vance County Planner Angie Blount and Interim Vance County Planning Director Sherry Moss told WIZS News the result would be zoning enforcement, code compliance, subdivision ordinances, zoning permit, building permit and perc testing among other things that Vance County will now administer for Middleburg.
The board also approved proceeding with the NC Department of Transportation to clear the way to construct a turning lane on Warrenton Road at the manned waste management site, a location that dates back to a time when such locations were referred to as “the green box.”
While the price tag of more than $300,000 would tend to raise an eyebrow or two, the board’s actions actually are expected to introduce a savings of about $100,000 to the county, with $81,000 expected to be out of pocket for the turn lane itself and the balance to additional site development.
Town Talk 01/07/20: Girl Scout Cookie Sale Begins This Weekend!
/by Kelly Bondurant100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Teresa Wimbrow, membership director for Franklin, Granville, Vance and Warren County Girl Scouts, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m. Wimbrow discussed the 2020 Girl Scout cookie sale and benefits to the girls involved in the program.
This year’s sale begins Saturday, January 11 at 9 a.m. Wimbrow said the local area should be prepared for “girls ringing your doorbell with cookies in hand.” Cookies will also be available in the coming weeks at booths set up by girl scouts and adult volunteers at local participating businesses and restaurants.
Cookies are available for $4 a box with proceeds being used for trips and activities for the scouts.
Flavors available locally this year include Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Lemonades, Thanks-A-Lot, Girl Scout S’mores, Shortbread and a gluten-free Caramel Chocolate Chip.
According to Wimbrow, this is expected to be the last year that the Thanks-A-Lot shortbread and chocolate fudge cookies will be available, so if they are your favorite, make sure you stock up. A new cookie will be introduced next year to join the tried and true originals.
Wimbrow, a former educator and basketball, volleyball and softball coach, has been with the Girl Scout organization for 11 years and says she enjoys fulfilling the organization’s motto by helping to “build girls of courage, confidence and character.”
“I love young people and I love this area,” said Wimbrow. “Girl Scouts is a great organization that offers a positive alternative to some of the other things that are happening that get so much negative publicity.”
The four-county area is part of the larger Girl Scout NC Coastal Pines, a council consisting of 41 counties. For information on the Girl Scout cookie program or testimonials from girls and volunteers alike, please visit www.nccoastalpines.org.
If you know someone interested in joining Girl Scouts, have questions or would like to volunteer, please contact Teresa Wimbrow at (252) 438-8103 or email twimbrow@nccoastalpines.org.
To hear the interview with Wimbrow in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Volunteers, Donations Needed for Local ‘Rise Against Hunger’ Event
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Brian Daniel, Rise Against Hunger
A “Rise Against Hunger” meal packing event and ACTS Food Drive will be held on Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 20, 2020, at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market. The event will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., with two-hour shifts available for volunteers.
The entire community is invited to partner for this exciting community day of service event. The purpose of the event is two-fold: a time to bring the community together, while at the same time helping fight hunger both on a local and international level.
According to event organizers, Vance County Farm Bureau has graciously endorsed the drive, providing the Farmers Market facility for the venue and seed money to launch this fundraising campaign.
Donations are requested to help reach the fundraising goal of $17,280 (50,000 meals), and 1,600 non-perishable canned or box goods for ACTS of Henderson! All checks should be made payable to Rise Against Hunger, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Requested food donation items include dry pasta, peanut butter, boxes of cereal, bags of rice, dried beans, gallon size string beans, corn, peas, canned soup and broth.
For secure online donations and volunteer opportunities, visit https://events.riseagainsthunger.org/Vance. For additional information on the event, please email Brian Daniel at hendersonhawk96@gmail.com.
The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Drive (off Beckford Dr.) in Henderson.
John Preston Appointed Warren Co. Tax Administrator
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, Warren County Government
At their January 6, 2020 meeting, the Warren County Board of Commissioners voted to appoint John Preston as the Warren County Tax Administrator for a two-year term with a salary of $70,000.
Preston, who has been serving as Interim Tax Administrator since October 2019, previously held the position of Assistant Tax Administrator of Warren County.
Photo includes: (L to R) Commissioner Walter Powell, Commissioner Jennifer Pierce, Commissioner Tare Davis, John Preston, Commissioner Victor Hunt, Commissioner Bertadean Baker. (Photo courtesy Warren Co. Govt.)
Preston, a native of Prince George’s County in Maryland, moved to Warrenton in 2015 when he was hired as the County Appraiser. Preston brings with him over twenty years of public service at all levels (federal, state, and local) between his time in Maryland and North Carolina. He has worked primarily in the assessments, billing, and collection of property taxes; he also owned his own home inspection business.
Preston worked for Warren County from 2015-2017 before taking a role with the NC Department of Revenue-Local Government Division. He returned to Warren County in 2019 to fill the newly created Assistant Tax Administrator Role.
Preston has received training from both the NC Department of Revenue as well as the UNC School of Government in tax administration, real property appraisal, personal property appraisal, and property tax listing and assessing. He holds his home inspection license from the state of Maryland.
“The Tax Administrator is responsible for determining the fair and equitable assessed market value of both real and personal property here in the county,” Preston explains. “The tax dollars this tax value generates is a major portion of Warren County’s budget. These tax dollars are used to fund everyday programs and projects such as waste management, public safety, education, social services, business development, health care and leisure/social activities. All of these are necessary features to attract new business and new growth for the benefit of our current and future citizens.”
In his leisure, Preston enjoys spending time with his wife and family.
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 01/07/20
/by Charlene100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
News 01/07/20
/by Larry100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm