Tag Archive for: #hendersonnews

Local Eagle Scout Earns All 141 Merit Badges

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Local Eagle Scout Brandon Scott Lawrence is just the fourth person in North Carolina to ever accomplish the impressive task of earning all 141 Boy Scouts of America merit badges.

BSA Troop 605 will present Lawrence with his last merit badge, # 141, at Court of Honor, taking place at the First Presbyterian Church, 122 Young St. Henderson, NC on Monday, March 7, 2016 at 7:00 P.M.

It will be a historic event. Earning all 141 badges has only been achieved by 283 other individuals in the last 100 years. On average about 18 scouts per year achieve this distinction.  Lawrence will receive four historical badges and one retired badge.

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He earned his Eagle rank at the early age of 14 on September 19, 2013. He is now 16 and is very excited about accomplishing his latest goal.

Lawrence said, “Scouting has been a huge part of my life. I’ve learned things and done things that I’ve never thought were possible, from flying airplanes to scuba diving in a rock quarry. I have learned many different skills and things that I will never forget. I have made many friends and met many interesting people throughout my 10 years of scouting.”

He said, “I would tell younger scouts, or anyone with a goal, never stop trying.  There is always a way because nothing is impossible.”

Brandon’s father is Scott Lawrence, who has been a scout leader for nine years. Scott Lawrence said, “I feel like a peacock strutting around! (Brandon) came to me one day after school at the age of six and said he wanted to go to a cub scout recruitment at Aycock School, which is where he went to school. We went, and here it is ten years later, and he has enjoyed it so much. I have too because it became a family affair. We are best friends!”

Brandon’s start was as simple as receiving a flyer to go to a Cub Scout interest meeting.  He said, “I just wanted to go.” All the things scouts do gave him an urge to try it. “I have always loved trying new things and meeting new people ever since I was six,” Brandon said.

rScott Lawrence said, “Our troop has had the privilege of having 27 young men earn the rank of Eagle Scout in the past ten years. Forty percent of all boys who joined our troop have gone the distance. Brandon has really set his sites on the future. He is so active in church, school, sports, clubs, and volunteering in general. Brandon has the drive and ability to do what ever he sets his mind too.”

Brandon said he has always loved taking things to their fullest.  “When I was in Cub Scouts, I heard about the Arrow of Light, the highest achievement for Cub Scouts, and decided that was my goal. When I crossed into Boy Scouts, I heard of the Eagle Scout rank, the highest rank in Boy Scouts, and decided that was my new goal. After I got my Eagle, I tried to think of a new goal, and I found one in getting all the merit badges. I had 62 at the time, so that’s what I set my sights on. Two years later, I finished all 141 merit badges,” Brandon said.

Reference information provided by: https://www.meritbadgeknot.com/index.htm

(Editor’s Note – The majority of the beginning of this story was written and supplied to WIZS News in the form of a press release. The release was written by Don Wells, Assistant Scout Master to BSA Troop 605.  The majority of the concluding paragraphs were written by Brandon Lawrence and Scott Lawrence and supplied in writing.  This is important not only so each receives proper credit for his writing but also to point out that they have each had the opportunity to express themselves in their own words.  Taking the time and effort to do so and to do so extremely well, as they have done, is exactly what you would expect from an Eagle Scout and from scout leaders.  And may we at WIZS please express what a joy it is to publish and broadcast great news.)

Winter Weather Possible Along Virginia Border

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UPDATED…Wintry Weather possible near the Virginia border tonight…

(Full 4:00 P.M. Release)

  • Rain will mix with, or briefly change to snow and sleet, when precipitation rates are heaviest tonight, mainly between 10pm and 4am. This may result in a very light accumulation of snow and sleet on grassy and elevated surfaces across the northern NC Piedmont, mainly from Roxboro to Henderson to Warrenton.
  • Temperatures initially around 40 degrees when the precipitation begins to reach the ground this evening will fall to between 32 and 35 degrees overnight, coldest (at freezing) when precipitation rates are highest.
  • A Winter Weather Advisory is not anticipated at this time due to limited accumulations. However, a heavier band of snow could produce up to one inch of snow.

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(Full 7:00 A.M. Release)

Information provided by Brian Short, Director of Emergency Operations for Henderson and Vance County, indicates the possibility of winter weather tonight for portions of our area.

The National Weather Service briefing from 7:00 A.M. Thursday, which is linked above, says:

“Rain will mix with, or briefly change to snow and sleet, when precipitation rates are heaviest tonight. This may result in a light accumulation of snow and sleet across the northern NC Piedmont, from the Triad to Roxboro to Henderson to Warrenton to Roanoke Rapids. Higher amounts are expected from the NC Mountains to Central VA.”

The briefing continues, “Temperatures initially around 40 degrees when the precipitation begins to reach the ground this evening will fall to between 32 and 35 degrees overnight, coldest (at freezing) when precipitation rates are highest.  A Winter Weather Advisory may be issued for the far northern NC Piedmont later today.”

March Crimes of the Month

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Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious injury Case:

On January 06, 2016 at approximately 1:15 A.M., Henderson Police Officers responded to the 600s block of Winder Street, in reference to someone Shot. Upon arrival, officers talked to Mr. Kyron Coleman who stated that two black males with dreads and a hand gun jumped out at him and shot him in the right leg.  The Henderson Police Department encourages any person with information related to these cases to contact Henderson –Vance Crime Stoppers at 492-1925 and also you can leave anonymous tips on the web site www.hvcrimestoppers.com. Citizens with information can also contact the Henderson Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at 431-6063.

 

Armed Robbery Case

On October 26, 2015 at approximately 5:04 P,M., officers responded to Dollar General, located at 1702 N. Garnett Street in reference to an armed robbery.  The suspect had left the store on foot and was headed east towards Food Lion.  Upon arrival, officers talked to Ms. Deborah Campbell, a store employee, who stated that a black male, approximately 25 years old with dreads, had entered the store wearing a light-colored Halloween mask, a dark blue or black sweatshirt, dark-colored pants and light brown work gloves with a gun. Suspect took the money and left the store on foot. The Henderson Police Department encourages anyone with information related to this crime to contact the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141 or Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925. You can put anonymous tips on the web site www.hvcrimestoppers.com. Callers may remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers offers a reward up to $2,000 for information that leads to an arrest.

 

Larceny Case

On December 30, 2015 at approximately 6:56 A.M., Vance County Sheriff’s Deputies were on patrol and found that someone had cut the fence at Quality Equipment, located at 70 John Deer Road. While on the property, the Deputy found a John Deere 60-inch zero turn mower missing. The Vance County Sheriff’s Office encourages any person with information related to this case to contact Henderson –Vance Crime Stoppers at 492-1925 and also you can put anonymous tips on the web site www.hvcrimestoppers.com. Citizens with information can also contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at 738-2200.

 

(Information supplied by press release from H-V Crime Stoppers)

News 03/03/16

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Citizens Fire Academy

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Henderson Fire Chief Steve Cordell says a few spots are still available for the Citizens Fire Academy.  “I would like a few more folks to attend,” he said, adding that you can now simply sign up at the Fire Department on Dabney Drive at the time of the class.

It’s a dynamic, 8-week program designed to provide participants with an inside view of the operations at the HFD.  The 2016 session begins Thursday, March 3 — That’s right about now!! — and continues each Thursday night for 8 weeks.  Each class will be from 6 P.M. until 8 P.M. at Henderson Fire Station 1, located at 211 Dabney Drive.

In promoting the classes the City of Henderson website says, “The curriculum  will include live demonstrations, classroom training, and hands-on experiences – all of which are designed to give the participant a true feel for HFD. The entire program is free and open to anyone 18 years of age or older who lives or works in the City of Henderson or Vance County.”

The intent is to “teach citizens about the many jobs HFD does on a daily basis and promote citizen interaction with firefighters,” according to the web site.

News 03/02/16

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Henderson Man Faces Drug Charges

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HPD Press Release

On Wednesday, February 24, 2016, members of the Henderson Police Department Special Operations Unit executed a search warrant at 1112 David Street in Henderson.  Officers initiated an investigation after receiving complaints of drug activity in the area.

Quentin Lamar Simmons, 39, 1112 David Street, Henderson was charged with the following offenses: felony possession of cocaine, felony possession of “Molly”(methamphetamine), possession with the intent to manufacture, sell or deliver heroin and trafficking heroin by possession.HPD Quentin Simmons 022916

Simmons was placed in the Vance County Jail after failing to post a 70,000.00 secured bond.  Simmons (was) scheduled to appear in Vance County District Court on February 29, 2016.

Authority: Chief Marcus Barrow

News 03/01/16

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News 02/29/16

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Thomas Jefferson makes first visit to VGCC

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Vance-Granville Community College students, faculty, staff and members of the community recently felt that they were in the presence of one of our nation’s Founding Fathers, when Bill Barker, in character as President Thomas Jefferson, presented the first in a series of three lectures. Barker has a local connection, as his father was an Oxford native and he has many relatives in Granville County.

The college’s Arts and Sciences division is offering a spring lecture series featuring Barker, the critically acclaimed resident “Mr. Jefferson” at Colonial Williamsburg, Va. The public is invited to attend the Jefferson presentations.

On Feb. 18, the series kicked off with “Mr. Jefferson and the Pursuit of Science.” Barker will return to present “Mr. Jefferson and the U.S. Constitution,” on Thursday, March 17, at 11 a.m. The final presentation will be “Mr. Jefferson and Slavery,” on Thursday, April 21, at 11 a.m. Each of these hour-long lectures are being held in the small auditorium in Building 2 on VGCC’s Main Campus in Henderson.

At his first engagement, the special guest was introduced by VGCC English department chair David Wyche, who noted that Barker is the same height, weight and general appearance as Mr. Jefferson. He has portrayed Thomas Jefferson in a variety of venues since his first appearance at Independence Hall in Philadelphia in 1984 and has conducted extensive research on Jefferson and his world. “Short of time travel, this is as close as we can come to meeting the man himself,” Wyche said.

“Jefferson” expressed his pleasure at visiting an educational institution like VGCC, noting that when he was growing up, education was only available to male children of families with means. “I hope for the day when everyone will have the opportunity to go to school, poor as well as wealthy, female as well as male, so that all will have a better opportunity to pursue ‘natural philosophy,’ what you now call ‘science,’” he said. Science, he added, is “founded upon open and free conversation, an open mind to pursue everything, to question everything, and thereby through objective reasoning to arrive at the discovery of facts.”

Barker, never breaking character, discussed the wide variety of scientific and technological advances that fascinated Jefferson. “What will happen in the next century, or two centuries?” he wondered. “Imagine! The greatest product this nation has to offer the world is imagination.” The president said that he still lived in a “four-mile-per hour world,” with both transportation and communication tied to the speed of horses, ships and “your own two feet.”

Jefferson said that he was frequently asked to name the greatest invention of this modern world, and his answer was “the printing press,” for its power to disseminate information and encourage literacy. “When you read for yourself, you begin to think for yourself,” he said. “You are no longer beholden to hearsay; you have the opportunity to read the facts distinctly for yourself, to put your mind to work, to ponder and to question, to objectively look at things.” He also touched upon fields like astronomy, agriculture, medicine, paleontology and even the science of government.

“What a bright future we have,” Barker said, from Jefferson’s perspective. “I enjoy much more the dreams of our future than I do the history of our past.”

For more information on the lecture series, call David Wyche at (252) 738-3364 or Deanna Stegall at (252) 738-3311.