Tag Archive for: #franklincountynews

VGCC Presents 7th Annual Dinner Theater: ‘Company’ by Stephen Sondheim

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

“Company” by Stephen Sondheim

Tickets for Seventh Annual Dinner Theater will go on sale March 25!

Check out the details below of what promises to be an evening of fun, food and fellowship in the great Vance-Granville Drama and Culinary Arts tradition and get your tickets at www.vgcc.edu/dinnertheater. The event, once again involving the collaboration of the VGCC Drama and Culinary Arts departments, is scheduled for the evenings of Thursday, April 25 and Friday, April 26, 2019, in the Civic Center on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. each evening.

Sondheim’s musical is a sophisticated and honest look at modern adult relationships.

From musical theatre’s most renowned composer, “Company” is largely regarded as a trailblazer of the dark-comedy, modern-musical genre and the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Lyrics and Best Book.

On the night of his 35th birthday, confirmed bachelor Robert contemplates his unmarried state. Over the course of a series of dinners, drinks and even a wedding, his friends – “those good and crazy people [his] married friends” – explain the pros and cons of taking on a spouse. The habitually single Robert is forced to question his adamant retention of bachelorhood during a hilarious array of interactions.

“Company” features a brilliantly brisk and energetic score containing many of Stephen Sondheim’s best-known songs. The strength of the piece lies in its vivid yet real characters, meaning impressive technical aspects aren’t necessary to convey the story. It can be told as effectively with a cavalcade of automated set pieces as it can with a chair or two. Every audience member will see reflections of themselves in at least one of the characters onstage.

Betsy Henderson, VGCC’s Department Chair/Instructor of Humanities and Fine Arts, is the director of the play.

Tickets are $30 and are scheduled to go on sale on March 25. Audience members will be able to choose the table and specific seats they want at the same time that they buy their tickets online. Patrons are encouraged to purchase their tickets early in order to have the best chance of getting the seats they want for this year’s show.

For more information, visit www.vgcc.edu/dinnertheater.

Granville County Chamber of Commerce

Local Chambers of Commerce to Host Administrative Professionals Luncheon

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— Information courtesy Granville County Chamber of Commerce | Ginnie Currin, Executive Director ~ 919-693-6125 ~ ginnie@granville-chamber.com

The Granville County Chamber of Commerce, together with Franklin, Warren and Vance Chambers are sponsoring the annual Administrative Professionals Luncheon.

This year’s event is being held Wednesday, April 24 at noon at Thorndale Oaks, 105 West Quailridge Road in Oxford. We are honored to have Vance-Granville Community College’s new President, Dr. Rachel Desmarais, as our guest speaker for the luncheon.

Business owners and administrators are encouraged to treat their administrative professionals to lunch, networking and an opportunity to meet Dr. Desmarais in observance of Administrative Professionals’ Day.

Lunch reservations are required ~ $20 per guest by April 18 to either of the Chamber’s offices – 919.693.6125, wanda@granville-chamber.com or 919.528.4994, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com.

Franklin Co. Sheriff’s Office Arrests Wake Resident on Indecent Liberties Charge

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On February 11, 2019, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division issued a warrant for the arrest of David Alan Brantley, a Wake County resident. Mr. Brantley was charged with: (1) one count of Felony Indecent Liberties with a Child.

On March 14, 2019, with the assistance of Wake County Sheriff’s Office, David Alan Brantley was arrested and served on the above-listed charge.

David Alan Brantley was given a $15,000 secured bond and is currently being held in the Wake County Detention Center,

David Alan Brantley – 102 Knott Drive Knightdale, NC 27545, DOB: 12/01/1998.

On February 11, 2019, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division issued a warrant for the arrest of David Alan Brantley, a Wake County resident. Mr. Brantley was charged with: (1) one count of Felony Indecent Liberties with a Child. (Photo courtesy FCSO)

Get Slimed for a Good Cause at FGV Smart Start’s ‘Slime Walk’

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-Information and flyer courtesy Christan Paylor, Professional Development Coordinator, FGV Smart Start

Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start will hold a “Slime Walk” on Saturday, April 6, 2019, at Franklinton High School – 910 Cedar Creek Rd. in Franklinton, NC.

Event registration begins at 9:30 a.m.; walk takes place from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The pre-registration deadline has passed, but registration will be allowed the day of the walk.

Bring out a group, walk for children and have fun!

For more information, please contact FGV Smart Start at (252) 433-9110, ext. 224.

 

State Broadband Office Publishes Homework Gap Report

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-Information courtesy NC DIT

Eric Boyette, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (DIT) and State Chief Information Officer, announced today the release of the “The Homework Gap in North Carolina,” a report that provides communities with strategies to bridge the homework gap that occurs when students are assigned homework that requires internet access but lack an internet connection at home.

N.C. DIT’s Broadband Infrastructure Office developed the homework gap report in partnership with The William & Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at North Carolina State University. This report contributes to a growing body of research and strategic policy recommendations designed to equip state and local policymakers, educators, and other key stakeholders with information to understand the homework gap and strategies to address it.

“We know we have many children in our state that are victims of this digital divide,” Secretary Boyette said. “Understanding the nature and scope of this problem is key to closing the homework gap.”

Governor Roy Cooper’s budget proposal makes closing the homework gap a significant priority. Governor Cooper proposes a $5 million fund to support schools that need internet hot spots for students and Wi-Fi technology for school buses.

“Too often I hear of students doing homework in the parking lots of fast food restaurants or driving long distances to use free Wi-Fi at churches and friends’ homes,” Governor Cooper said. “This is unacceptable in this day and age and it creates inequity in our educational system.”

Governor Cooper also signed Executive Order 91, which establishes a new Governor’s Task Force on Connecting North Carolina and directs state government leaders to identify and remove barriers to facilitate private-sector deployment of last-mile infrastructure, eliminate the homework gap, and support the adoption of affordable, high-speed internet access.

N.C. DIT has already begun implementing the report’s recommendations, including the BIO’s continued effort to gather more and better data through surveys such as the Speak Up survey. Speak Up is an annual research project and a free service to all schools and was the first online research tool designed to help parents share their ideas directly with schools and national policymakers. BIO partnered with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction to include homework gap specific questions in the 2018-2019 Speak Up survey.

One way the state is currently working to combat the homework gap is through the State Library of North Carolina and N.C. DIT’s pilot program with the Robeson County Public Library and Public Schools of Robeson County. The pilot program is funded by a $250,000 two-year grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and will provide Robeson County Public Library with 35 Wi-Fi hotspot devices for up to 35 K-12 households.

To access the report, please visit The Homework Gap in North Carolina on the Broadband Infrastructure Office website. To take the Speak Up survey, please visit https://speakup.tomorrow.org.

Citizen Complaints Lead to Drug Arrest of Franklin Co. Resident

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-Press Release, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit and Special Response Team arrested Franklin County resident, Christopher Myles Evanston Yarborough for multiple drug violations. In addition to the arrest, a search warrant was executed at 910 Dogwood Lane Franklinton, NC. The arrest of Mr. Yarborough and subsequent search occurred on February 28, 2019.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit received multiple complaints that Mr. Yarborough was involved in the illegal use and sale of controlled substances in and around the Franklinton area. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit was able to corroborate the information and the investigation led to the arrest of Mr. Yarborough as well as the execution of the search warrant at his residence. The investigation and arrest resulted in the seizure of Crack Cocaine, Marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Christopher Myles Evanston Yarborough of 910 Dogwood Lane in Franklinton, NC was arrested and charged with Possession with intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana (2 Counts), Sell and Deliver Marijuana, Possess with the Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine, Sell and Deliver Cocaine, Maintain a Dwelling/Vehicle for the purpose of Selling Controlled Substances (3 Counts). (Photo courtesy FCSO)

Sheriff Kent Winstead stated, “Our response to citizen complaints is a high priority for our Drug Unit. We continue to encourage citizens to be observant and to report suspicious activity to the Sheriff’s Office. Our goal is to identify and arrest those who chose to sell these illegal drugs in our communities.”

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit was assisted in this investigation by the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Branch of the SBI.

Christopher Myles Evanston Yarborough 910 Dogwood Lane Franklinton, NC 27525 DOB: 8/14/1993

Christopher Myles Evanston Yarborough was charged with the following: Possession with intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana (2 Counts) Sell and Deliver Marijuana Possess with the Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine Sell and Deliver Cocaine Maintain a Dwelling/Vehicle for the purpose of Selling Controlled Substances (3 Counts).

Christopher Myles Evanston Yarborough is currently in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $75,000 secured bond.

For more information regarding this investigation, or to provide information regarding drug activity in your community, please contact Sergeant Ken Pike at (919) 496-2186.

 

VGCC Franklin Campus to Hold ‘Community Engagement Night’

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-Information courtesy Christopher LaRocca, Director of Communications, VGCC

Vance-Granville Community College will hold a “Community Engagement Night” event at their Franklin Campus in Louisburg on Tuesday, March 19, 2019.

The community is invited to hear campus updates and discussion on the community college vision and VGCC’s strategic direction. An open dialogue session will also provide a speaking opportunity for participants.

NC Drivers May Soon Face Stricter Restrictions on Cell Phone Use

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State lawmakers are working on getting a bill passed that would ban NC drivers from talking on their cell phones while operating a motor vehicle.

HB 144 proposes fines for first offenses of talking on the phone while driving. Subsequent convictions would result in fines and insurance points.

Exceptions would allow drivers to talk on cell phones while parked. Drivers 18 and older would also be able to use a mounted cell phone if the call could be placed and ended with a single button.

Drivers who experience emergency situations and emergency responders are exempt under the proposed bill.

The bill needs the approval of the House, Senate and NC governor to officially become law.

According to a car accident lawyer Daytona beach, North Carolina currently bans texting while driving for all drivers and talking while driving for those younger than 18 and all school bus drivers.

In last week’s Town Talk interview with North Carolina Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey, the topic of HB 144 was briefly discussed.

“Distracted driving is the leading cause of deadly accidents today,” said Causey. “Texting and talking while driving have killed so many people needlessly.”

Causey believes the bill, which has been brought up several times in past years, will pass this go around thanks to “broad bipartisan support.”

“The time is now right with the number of deadly accidents and the pressure it’s putting on raising auto insurance rates. It’s a common sense safety move that would also help hold down insurance rates.”

Franklinton Police Seeking Public’s Assistance in Homicide Investigation

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-Information and photos courtesy the Franklinton Police Department’s Facebook page

The Franklinton Police Department is seeking public assistance in identifying the two individuals pictured below. These individuals are persons of interest in a homicide investigation.

The homicide occurred on January 18, 2019, on Fairlane Ave. in Franklinton. If anyone was in the area between 7 and 7:30 p.m. and saw anything, contact Franklinton Police Department at (919) 494-2888 ext 107 or ext 105.

Information can also be given by calling the State Bureau of Investigations tip line at 1-800-334-3000. INFORMATION CAN BE ANONYMOUS.

Franklin County Sheriff

Franklin Co. Detention Center Inmate Found Deceased

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-Press Release, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

On March 7, 2019, at approximately 5:30 a.m. while conducting inmate checks for the detention center cells at the Franklin County Detention Center, a male inmate, age 32, was discovered deceased. There were no signs of foul play or suspicious activity.

Per standard procedure, the State Bureau of Investigation was requested by this agency to investigate the death.

Sheriff Kent Winstead stated that “the Sheriff’s Office is saddened at the loss of life and extends their condolences to the individual’s family.”