Tag Archive for: #hendersonnews

HPD and VCSO offer Gun Buy Back Program

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Our local law enforcement’s “Gun Buy Back Program” asks you to anonymously surrender unwanted and illegal firearms with “No Questions Asked” and receive a Visa gift card in return. Assault weapons will receive a $150.00 Visa prepaid gift card and handguns will receive a $100.00 Visa prepaid gift card. Rifles and shotguns will receive a $75.00 Visa prepaid gift card.

The “Gun Buy Back Program” will take place on Saturday, December 10, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at two locations:

Gang Free Inc. located at 940 County Home Road, Henderson, NC 27536

Kittrell Volunteer Fire Department located at 54 W. Main Street Kittrell, NC 27544

 

Vehicle Procedure

The following procedure MUST be followed in order to receive a gift card:

  • Place the unloaded gun inside your trunk, truck bed, or cargo area before leaving your home. Gun must be brought to the site unloaded.
    • Approach the location. Signs will be posted for directions to enter the facility’s driveway.
    • Officers will direct you to the designated area.
    • Please remain in your vehicle at all times. An officer will remove the gun. (If you cannot remotely open the trunk or rear hatch from the driver’s seat, you must hand the officer the key.)
    • After the gun is determined to be a working firearm, a gift card will be given – “No Questions Asked”

Walk-up Procedure

  • Place the unloaded gun inside a bag you can carry before leaving your home. Gun must be brought to the site unloaded.
    • Approach the designated location. Signs will be posted directing you to remain in mthe designated area until approached by an officer.
    • Officers will provide you with directions to follow.
    • After the gun is determined to be a working firearm, a gift card will be given – “No Questions Asked”

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Gun Buyback Program?
The gun buyback program is a proactive campaign to take guns off our streets. The buyback program asks residents to turn in their gun(s) and in return receive a Visa prepaid gift card. The “no questions asked” program will allow individuals to anonymously dispose of firearms without fear of charges for illegal possession when turning in the weapon.

Q: How is the gun buyback program funded?
The program is funded by two sources. First, the Henderson Police Department and Vance County Sheriff’s Office. Second, from donations made to Gang Free Inc. from businesses, churches and organizations.

Q: Why is the community launching this program?
This program is a partnership effort between the Henderson Police Department, Vance County Sheriff’s Office and Gang Free Inc. This community has been impacted by gun violence. Taking guns off the street is at the heart of violence prevention and we must do everything we can to put an end to the senseless violence. Every gun turned into the program is a life potentially saved.

Q: Will I get arrested when I deliver a gun to the buyback program? Do I have to identify myself?
No, you will not be arrested when you deliver the gun. However, you must follow the turn in procedure. You will not have to identify yourself. This is a “No Questions Asked” program that means you will remain anonymous when you drop off the firearm.

Q: What types of guns are accepted?
All guns will be accepted. Gift cards will be issued only for assault weapons, handguns, rifle/shotguns. These will also have to be workable firearms. Whether a gun is “workable” will be determined by the officer screening the weapon. BB or pellets guns and ammunition will be accepted without compensation.

Q: Is there a limit on the number of guns I can turn in?
There are no limits to the number of guns that you can turn in as long as buy back money is available. After the buyback spends the entire budget, guns may still be surrendered without payment.

Q: What happens after the gun is turned in?
All weapons will be stored by the Police Department and handled according to state law. If possible, recovered stolen weapons will be returned to the rightful owner(s).

Q: Are gun buyback programs proven to reduce gun violence?
We do know that if a gun is turned in, it will not be used in a future crime. The buyback program is one part of a larger strategy and opportunity to mobilize our community in joint efforts against gun violence. This program demonstrates Henderson’s commitment for safer streets. “No Questions Asked” embraces the philosophy that one fewer gun on the street is potentially many lives saved.

 

VGCC programs receive high national rankings

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Three national organizations recently recognized Vance-Granville Community College with high rankings for high-quality, affordable education, offered online or on-campus.

The Community for Accredited Online Schools (AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org), a leading resource for higher education and college accreditation information, recently released its national rankings for the 2016-2017 school year. The organization ranked VGCC as having the nation’s 34th Best Pharmacy Technician program as well as the nation’s 49th Best Beauty/Cosmetology program.

VGCC offers Cosmetology at all four of its campuses, while the Pharmacy Technology program is based on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. Both programs have options for certain courses to be completed online or in hybrid formats combining online and traditional face-to-face instruction. The college offers certificate and diploma programs in Cosmetology, a Cosmetology Instructor certificate, along with both a diploma and a two-year associate degree in Pharmacy Technology.

“We wanted to highlight schools like Vance-Granville Community College, who are striving for excellence in education,” said Doug Jones, CEO and Founder of the California-based Community for Accredited Online Schools. “These colleges offer an exceptional educational experience, upholding rigorous accreditation standards and showing an overall commitment to maximizing student success.”

In order for colleges to qualify for the rankings, they must hold public or private not-for-profit status and carry institutional accreditation. Top schools are determined by using a value-based methodology that analyzes more than a dozen qualitative and quantitative data points.

Meanwhile, Nevada-based Affordable Colleges Online (AffordableCollegesOnline.org) has ranked VGCC as the 25th “Best Online College” in North Carolina for 2016-2017. The organization evaluated colleges and universities based on cost of tuition and fees, the percentage of full-time students receiving institutional financial aid, the number of online programs offered, and the student-to-teacher ratio. Affordable Colleges Online has distinguished its ranking scale by the use of Peer-Based Value, or PBV. The PBV score compares the cost of each program to the cost of similar programs with the same qualitative score. Earlier this year, AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org ranked VGCC as the top two-year college in North Carolina for online programs.

VGCC has expanded its online course offerings in recent years. In 2015, the college launched the VOLT (Vanguard Online Learning through Technology) initiative, primarily with working adults in mind. Through VOLT, five two-year degree programs are now offered 100-percent online — Associate in Arts (College Transfer), Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Medical Office Administration – Coding Specialist, and Global Logistics and Distribution Management Technology. In addition, students can take online courses in combination with traditional face-to-face courses to complete any VGCC degree program.

VOLT students enjoy several specific benefits, including priority registration and guaranteed course availability. They also have access to many online resources that are available to all VGCC students, such as library services, testing and the Bookstore. Courses offered through VOLT have the same low tuition as all other VGCC courses, making them more affordable than their counterparts at for-profit institutions. In addition, Duke Energy, a longtime corporate supporter of VGCC, has provided funds for scholarships specifically for VOLT students. For more information about VOLT, visit volt.vgcc.edu or call Evelyn Harris at (252) 738-3254, or Melanie Copeland at (252) 738-3271.

One of the VOLT programs, Criminal Justice, was recognized by AffordableColleges.com as number 21 on the list of the nation’s 50 best values in online associate degrees in Criminal Justice. “In our rigorous review of schools across the nation, we set out to find the programs that combine quality with affordability, and VGCC rose to the top,” said Vanessa Green of Texas-based AffordableColleges.com. “Our mission is to help students find a path to a rewarding, quality education that won’t leave them crippled by student debt. We love connecting students with institutions that match those ideals, and we’re pleased to feature VGCC.” On its website, the organization noted that “VGCC is a state leader in delivering online courses, as well as fully-online degree programs; the school uses the Moodle content management system.”
“The faculty and staff at Vance-Granville continue to demonstrate excellence and innovation, which is reflected in these national rankings,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC. “More and more people are realizing the value that our programs offer, as we educate, inspire and support Vanguards to prepare for success in Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Pharmacy Technology or any number of other career fields.”

Registration is going on now for the spring 2017 semester at VGCC, which begins Jan. 9.

News 11/15/16

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Rotary Clubs and Community Volunteers Work to Reduce Hunger

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On November 19th the Rotary Clubs of Oxford, Henderson, Roxboro and the Kerr Tar Region are joining together to produce Emergency Food Boxes (EFB) for the food insecure in our area.  The Rotary clubs will be joined by an estimated 100 volunteers from schools, sororities and other community organizations to produce the boxes.

During the November packing event, 1,200 EFBs will be produced, providing more than 25,000 meals for agencies serving the food insecure, including:  ACTS and Vance County Senior Center in Vance County, and Safe Haven, Christian Help Center and a church-based food bank in Person County.

Another packing event will be held on January 21, 2017, producing an additional 1,200 boxes supporting agencies in Granville County.  Each EFB contains individual bags of rice, beans and dehydrated vegetables, enough food to make 21 meals and feed a person for a week.  More importantly, the box includes illustrated cooking instructions in English and Spanish and menus to feed a family of four for just $75 a week.

Food insecurity is a significant problem in our area, where an estimated 20% (21,000) of the population does not always know where they will find their next meal.  Together, the November and January packing events will provide more than 50,000 meals at a total cost of $12,000.

The Emergency Food Box project was funded by the Rotary Clubs of Oxford, Henderson and Roxboro and Rotary District 7710.  The Masonic Home for Children in Oxford generously provides storage and production facilities and volunteers to make this project possible.

For more information, contact OxfordNCRotaryClub@Yahoo.com

News 11/14/16

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Coastal Federal Credit Union Comes to Henderson

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Coastal Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed a merger with Freedom Credit Union. The merger was official as of July 1, 2016, with branches and systems converting to Coastal between October 28 and November 2.

Freedom was a $53 million credit union based in Rocky Mount. The merger gives Coastal 8,300 new members, 13 new employees and four more branches. Coastal renovated locations in Rocky Mount, and on-site at WakeMed’s facilities in Raleigh and Cary. Freedom’s Henderson location has been replaced by a new Coastal branch, located at 236 Dabney Drive.

“Freedom’s board sought a merger partner because they desired to expand member service, provide more long-term opportunities for their employees, and overcome the challenges of rising regulatory compliance costs that small credit unions face,” says Chuck Purvis, President and CEO of Coastal.

Purvis added, “The merger was attractive to Coastal, as well. We now have new branch locations to serve existing members living in the communities around the Rocky Mount and Henderson branch locations. It also opens up several opportunities to share all the benefits we can offer to our new employer groups.”

For more information, please contact Joe Mecca at 919-420-8044.

Coastal Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned, financial cooperative, offering a full range of financial products and services. Coastal was chartered on August 31, 1967 with the mission of fostering the credit union philosophy of “people helping people.”  Today, with $2.8 billion in assets, Coastal serves 220,000 members from 1,600 business partners and is among the leading financial institutions in North Carolina.  Coastal operates 22 branches in the Triangle market and serves members in all 50 states through a network of 5,000 shared branches,  mobile banking featuring mobile check deposit, and a robust offering of online services at www.COASTAL24.com.

Two longtime members retire from VGCC endowment board

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John K. Nelms and Julia Ann Taylor, both of Oxford, recently announced their retirement from the Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund Board of Directors, effective in December.

Nelms has been on the board of directors since 1978. Among his numerous contributions to the Endowment Fund, Nelms created the Mary Ruth Nelms Presidential Scholar Award in 2009 in memory of his late wife of 61 years. The Endowment board also created a Presidential Scholar Award in his honor in 2011.

When the college was still young, Nelms — then the director of the Granville County Economic Development Commission — was instrumental in getting his county involved in supporting what was then Vance County Technical Institute. He persuaded Granville County commissioners to join Vance County in funding the school and in locating its main campus near the county line between Henderson and Oxford. Nelms served on the VGCC Board of Trustees in an advisory capacity from 1971 until 1973, and as an active member from 1973 until 2005. He was its chair from 1983 through 1984 and from 1999 until 2003. Nelms was named VGCC’s first (and to date, only) Trustee Emeritus upon his retirement.

Taylor, meanwhile, has served on the Endowment Fund board since 1985 and has been the board’s secretary for all of those years. She is responsible for endowing the college’s Grace Hamme Jester Presidential Merit Award scholarship, in memory of her aunt, and she helped, along with other family members, to endow the Joseph and Carrie P. Hamme Presidential Merit Award. Active in her community, Taylor served on the Granville County Planning Board for 28 years — the longest period of service of any resident on any Granville County board — while also volunteering with the local historical and genealogical societies. Both Taylor and her husband, Dr. Richard Taylor, received the John Penn Citizen Award from the Granville County Chamber of Commerce in 2015.

The board of directors oversees the Endowment Fund Corporation, a nonprofit organization established in 1976 to seek and receive scholarship funds and other contributions for the college. The most recent additions to the board include Clay Frazier of Henderson, the president of Universal Leaf North America, U.S.; Darryl Moss, the mayor of Creedmoor; and Josh Towne of Henderson, the owner/operator of the Chick-fil-A franchise in Henderson.

Other current board members include Robert L. Hubbard (the vice-chair), Julius Banzet III, Sarah Baskerville, Jim Chatman, Rep. James W. Crawford, Jr., Dr. Ben F. Currin, L. Opie Frazier, Jr., Rev. Dr. Richard M. Henderson, T.S. Royster, Jr., Donald C. Seifert, Sr., and Todd Wemyss. As president of VGCC, Dr. Stelfanie Williams chairs the board.

Through the Endowment Fund, VGCC has awarded more than 8,800 scholarships to students since 1982. Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education. For more information about the Endowment Fund, call (252) 738-3409.

News 11/11/16

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Vance County Announces Keith Duncan as Fire Marshal

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Vance County Announces Keith Duncan as Fire Marshal — Press Release

Vance County is pleased to announce the hiring of Keith Duncan as the County Fire Marshal beginning on November 14th. In this new position, Mr. Duncan will serve as the county’s liaison to the Volunteer Fire Departments and will be available to assist them with insurance ratings, training and other needs. He will serve as the county’s lead fire investigator and will be responsible for conducting fire prevention inspections of local schools, businesses and churches as required by the state. He will also lead the county’s fire prevention education efforts.

Duncan has spent the last 8 ½ years as fire marshal for Halifax County, NC and has an extensive fire background and qualifications. Mr. Duncan previously spent nearly 20 years as a fire lieutenant with the City of Roanoke Rapids, NC and has certifications as a fire fighter II, fire officer I, hazardous materials operator, emergency vehicle driver, and as a fire instructor II. Mr. Duncan holds a level III Fire Inspector license in addition to certifications in building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing codes.

Duncan is a knowledgeable individual and a welcome addition to the county’s management team and the Vance County community.

News 11/10/16

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