Tag Archive for: #hendersonnews

Jonas Wheeling III, 19, Arrested on Multiple Drug Charges

-Information and photos courtesy the Henderson Police Department

On January 29, 2019, members of the Henderson Police Department Special Operations Division along with the Special Response Team executed a search warrant at the residence of 452 Ford St. in Henderson, NC.

Upon SRT entering the home, the suspect fled from the backdoor which led to a brief foot pursuit. He was apprehended without incident. The suspect was in possession of narcotics and a firearm during this encounter.

During the execution of the search warrant over 8 grams of cocaine, 105 grams of marijuana, $335 in US Currency, miscellaneous paraphernalia/manufacturing supplies, electronic video surveillance equipment and one firearm along with several rounds of ammunition were located and seized.

Jonas Wheeling III, 19, of 452 Ford St. Henderson, NC was arrested and charged. He was charged with PWIMSD Cocaine, PWIMSD Marijuana, Manufacturing Schedule II, Manufacturing Schedule VI, Felony Possession of Marijuana, Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia not Schedule VI, and Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia.

Wheeling’s bond was set in the amount of $70,000 secured. He is scheduled to appear in court on February 5, 2019.

On January 29, 2019, members of the Henderson Police Department Special Operations Division along with the Special Response Team executed a search warrant at the residence of 452 Ford St. in Henderson, NC. Jonas Wheeling III, 19, was arrested and charged with PWIMSD Cocaine, PWIMSD Marijuana, Manufacturing Schedule II, Manufacturing Schedule VI, Felony Possession of Marijuana, Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia not Schedule VI, and Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia. (Photo Credit: Henderson Police Dept.)

During the execution of the search warrant of 452 Ford St. in Henderson over 8 grams of cocaine, 105 grams of marijuana, $335 in US Currency, miscellaneous paraphernalia/manufacturing supplies, electronic video surveillance equipment and one firearm along with several rounds of ammunition were located and seized. (Photo Credit: Henderson Police Dept.)

MADD, Crime Stoppers Aim to Get Drunk Drivers/Criminals Off the Streets

James Baines, secretary of the local chapter of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and president of the Vance County Crime Stoppers, was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss his involvement with both organizations.

MADD

In explaining the mission of MADD, Baines said the simple answer is that it is a volunteer group of people who care about the community and want to help get drunk drivers off the roads. “We need the community’s support; we can’t do this alone,” explained Baines.

Volunteers are needed in the following areas:

  • Community Outreach – volunteers who will create awareness of MADD’S mission
  • Court Monitors – volunteers who are trained to observe court process and record court decisions
  • Sobriety Checkpoints – volunteers who will support law enforcement officers at checkpoints
  • Victims Advocate Services – volunteers who are trained to assist in the healing journey by offering emotional support for families who endure a loss of a loved one due to a drunk driver

According to Baines, court monitors receive training on how to record the proceedings and outcomes of local DWI trials, while volunteers at sobriety checkpoints assist by providing law enforcement with meals and refreshments.

While he did not have exact figures, Baines said sobriety checkpoints typically result in 3 – 4 charges of DWI, no operator’s license, no auto insurance coverage and underage drinking.

To help combat the problem of underage drinking and driving, MADD has started a “Power of You(th)” program aimed at educating high school students.

Baines has seen his fair share of young lives ruined by drunk driving in his over 30-year career with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office. “The kids need to know that they could kill or injure someone if they drink and drive. You don’t want to ruin your life. We want them to know if they do drink, they need to find someone else to drive.”

The local chapter of MADD meets once a quarter – on the fourth Tuesday of the given month – at 6 p.m. in the County Commissioners’ Room inside the “old courthouse” on Young St. in Henderson. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23, 2019.

If you are interested in joining or volunteering, please call Lorraine Watkins, president of the local MADD chapter, at (252) 492-8407.

Vance County Crime Stoppers

Switching hats, Baines, the recently named president of the Vance County Crime Stoppers, discussed the organization’s mission and fundraising opportunities.

Baines said his love for his community and for its leaders and citizens prompted him to join the organization five years ago. “I wanted to make a better community for our kids and grandkids. I’m going to do my best [as president] to make Henderson and Vance County a safer place to live and work.”

Crime Stoppers works much the same way that it has for its now 25-year history – those that witness a crime can call the hotline at (252) 492-1925 to report an anonymous tip. If that tip leads to an arrest or a conviction, the caller can be paid up to $2,000. Tips can also be reported by text via the P3 app.

Various Crime Stopper fundraisers, including the annual Kerr Lake golf tournament and annual recognition and award banquet, provide money for paying out eligible hotline tips.

“We want the community to be our eyes and ears. Our law enforcement officers get up every morning and don’t know if they are going to make it home to their families. If you see anything, say it! Don’t be afraid to call and leave a tip.”

Vance County Crime Stoppers is always looking for new members and is currently accepting applications for volunteers to serve on the Advisory Board. With questions or more information on joining Crime Stoppers, please call James Baines at (252) 430-9218.

To hear the interview with James Baines in its entirety, please click here.

U.S. Department of Justice

Henderson Man Sentenced for Receipt of Firearm While Under Indictment

-Press Release, U.S. Dept. of Justice

United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today in federal court, United States District Judge James C. Dever, III sentenced TYQUEL ALSTON, 19, of Henderson, North Carolina to 54 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

ALSTON was named in an Indictment filed on May 16, 2018, charging him with receipt of a firearm while under indictment. On August 7, 2018, ALSTON pled guilty to that charge.

On May 9, 2018, ALSTON was pulled over leaving a known drug area by law enforcement officers with the Henderson Police Department. ALSTON was driving erratically and at a high rate of speed when law enforcement initiated the traffic stop. Officers could smell marijuana in his car and subsequently searched the car. Under the passenger seat officers found a Leinad Inc., Model M-11, 9mm pistol with an extended magazine. The magazine was loaded with 16 rounds. ALSTON is a prohibited possessor of firearms because he was under Indictment for Trafficking in Heroin, Larceny of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle and Possession of a Handgun by a Minor. Those charges were then pending in the Vance County Superior Court.

The Court granted the Government’s request for an upward departure in the defendant’s sentence because ALSTON was likewise under indictment for his participation in a drive-by shooting that occurred on May 25, 2017. During that shooting, an unintended victim, a pregnant 17-year-old female, was shot in the leg when one of the bullets went into her home that was located across the street from the shooting location. ALSTON previously threatened his girlfriend with firearms in March and May 2018. On both occasions his girlfriend reported to police that ALSTON pointed a firearm at her and threatened to kill her during a domestic dispute. The indictment related to this shooting was pending in Vance County Superior Court at the time he possessed the weapon that was the subject of the federal charges.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Since 2017 the United States Department of Justice has reinvigorated the PSN program and has targeted violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

That effort has been implemented through the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Henderson Police Department as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charity Wilson.

News releases are available on the U.S. Attorney’s webpage at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_EDNC.

Dr. Sydney Short Joins Maria Parham Cardiology

-Information and photo courtesy Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health today announced that Sydney Short, M.D., has joined its staff and will be offering cardiology services to patients throughout Vance County and the surrounding communities. Dr. Short brings more than 30 years of clinical experience to Maria Parham and is the first cardiologist to join the hospital’s medical staff this year.

“Dr. Short has years of experience in treating a range of heart conditions, and he is an excellent addition to our hospital team,” said Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health. “Heart disease is an increasing concern in our communities, and Dr. Short’s expertise will be important as Maria Parham Health strives to meet our region’s evolving healthcare needs and make our community healthier.”

Dr. Short is a Duke Health physician and joins Maria Parham Health from Duke Cardiology of Lumberton, where he also sees patients. Before Duke Cardiology of Lumberton, he was a staff cardiologist at Duke Health Center of Sanford.

Dr. Short graduated from West Virginia University School of Medicine in 1983. He completed his internal medicine residency and a cardiology fellowship at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Dr. Short is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Cardiology. He is a Member of the American Society of Echocardiography, Physicians for Compassionate Care and the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology.

When he is not working, Dr. Short enjoys spending time with his family, gardening, woodworking and running.

Dr. Short will see patients at Maria Parham Cardiology located at 568 Ruin Creek Rd., Suite 128 in Henderson, North Carolina.  For a referral or to schedule an appointment, please call 252.436.1085.

News 01/29/19

Community Partners of Hope

Henderson Men’s Shelter in Need of Supervision & Meal Volunteers

-Information courtesy Community Partners of Hope

Several of the churches who have helped at the Henderson Men’s Shelter in the past are no longer involved or have reduced the number of weeks or days that they will cover. Other individual contributors have moved, changed jobs or have health concerns and can no longer help.

The result is that we just don’t have enough people to help with shelter supervision – particularly on the welcome shift.

We can use men or women (working along with trained staff) from 5:30 – 9 p.m.

PLEASE CALL (252) 432-9494 to volunteer and please take a look at the Shelter Calendar (click here) to see if you as an individual or your church or organization can fill in the blanks for supervision and/or meals.

JANUARY & FEBRUARY NEEDS:

We still need welcome shift volunteers for January 30 and 31.

For volunteers and meals in February, please check the calendar at www.cp-hope.org

Please consider giving one evening of your life to help provide a safe shelter for men in Henderson and the surrounding counties!

SUPPLIES NEEDED AT THIS TIME: 

Large bottles of hand sanitizer

Large refill bottles of hand soap

Cans of foot powder or Athletes Foot spray

Tall kitchen trash bags (13-Gallon Size)

Laundry detergent

7-ounce adjustable air fresheners

Pine-sol type cleaner – gallon containers

Toilet bowl cleaner – gel type

Soap – small sample size (or hotel supplies)

NO REAL FOOD ITEMS NEEDED AT THIS TIME (EXCEPT FOR SUPPERS  – SEE CALENDAR)

CLOTHING NEEDED– NEW ONLY!* (take used clothing to a thrift store, please)

*Please leave all underwear and socks in original packages

Men’s Undergarments (all sizes)

Waterproof men’s gloves

Men’s sweatshirts (Sizes L, XL, XXL)

Men’s thermal sets (Sizes L, XL, XXL)

White tube socks

NOT NEEDED: Shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, instant oatmeal, deodorant, dress socks and coffee mugs.

A NOTE ABOUT DONATIONS:

All contributions are tax deductible.

You may send a check to:

Community Partners of Hope, Inc., P.O. Box 1791, Henderson, NC 27536

Donations can be taken to:

First Baptist Church (9-5 Monday thru Thursday or 9-12 Friday)

First Presbyterian Church (10-1 Monday thru Thursday)

WIZS Radio Station

or call Betty Boyd (252) 432-3967 to arrange delivery

(This is not a paid advertisement)

City of Henderson Logo

Trihalomethane Violation Notices Sent With Recent Henderson Water Bills

– Public Notice, City of Henderson

Recently, the Kerr Lake Regional Water System sent out notices that told about a total trihalomethane violation. Two notices were sent out in December for the 2nd and 3rd quarters of 2018 and one in January 2019 for the 4th quarter of 2018. Total trihalomethanes are a disinfection byproduct that is created by adding the disinfectant chlorine to water in order to make it potable for drinking. The organics in water that occur naturally react with the chlorine and create total trihalomethanes.

Henderson tests a total of 4 sites every quarter per state regulations. One of the sites that are tested had readings over the MCL (maximum contaminant level) determined by EPA standards. The maximum contaminant level for trihalomethanes is 80 parts per billion. Anything over this amount is considered a maximum contaminant violation and public notification is required at that site.

Due to the LRAA (local running annual average) being above the MCL, a system-wide notice was required to be sent out to all customers of the City of Henderson. These were the notices that were received in the water bills of December 2018 and January 2019.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Christy Lipscomb, KLRWP Director, at (252) 438-2141 or clipscomb@ci.henderson.nc.us.

News 01/28/19

5th Dimension to Perform ‘Let the Sun Shine In,’ Other Classics at McGregor Hall

-Information courtesy the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center’s website

“Classy” is the word used over and over to describe 5th Dimension, the group performing at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center on Saturday, February 16, 2019, at 8 p.m.

With over 20 million records sold worldwide, 22 Top 40 Hits, five No. 1 hits and six Grammys, the legendary 5th Dimension continues to awe sold-out audiences with their amazing harmonies, immaculate showmanship and exciting energy wherever they perform.

Their classic songs include “Up, Up, and Away, “One Less Bell to Answer,” “Last Night I Didn’t Get to Sleep At All,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” “Stoned Soul Picnic,” and the iconic “Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In.”

Purchase tickets here: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/2678124/the-fifth-dimension-in-concert-henderson-mcgregor-hall-performing-arts-center

(This is not a paid advertisement)

5th Dimension will perform at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center on Saturday, February 16, 2019, at 8 p.m. (Photo courtesy McGregor Hall)

Polar Plunge Participants Will be ‘Freezin’ For A Reason’ Next Weekend

-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center

The Vance County Special Olympics 2019 Polar Plunge will be held at the Satterwhite Point Glasshouse on Saturday, February 2, 2019. Check-in will begin at 9:30 a.m. that morning; jump begins at 10:30 a.m. Inclement weather date will be Saturday, February 9, 2019.

The Polar Plunge is an event for courageous participants willing to jump into Kerr Lake in the middle of the winter, all to support and raise funds for the Special Olympics of Vance County.

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with others.

All donations earned from the Polar Plunge will go to support local athletes. Individuals are required to collect a minimum of $30 to participate.

Prizes will be given for best costume (individual and team); most money raised (individual and team); and largest team.

Every participant will receive a t-shirt. There is a limit of 250 participants.

For more information on the Polar Plunge, please contact Crystal Allen at (252) 431-6091 or by email at callen@ci.henderson.nc.us