Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Vance Co. Schools’ Student Spotlight Winners Tour Washington, D.C.

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Twelve of the 16 Student Spotlight award winners from Vance County schools this school year participated in a  trip to Washington, D.C., on June 20.

The trip was part of their award recognition. The award recipients were each honored with surprise visits to the classrooms in their respective schools during the year. In those surprise visits, they were presented with several gifts. Later, all of the Student Spotlight winners were recognized during Vance County Board of Education meetings and were presented with framed certificates commemorating their awards.

During the trip to our nation’s capital, they visited with U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield in his offices and U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis in the U.S. Capitol. Both Butterfield and Tillis are from North Carolina and represent Vance County in the U.S. Congress. The students, who were accompanied on the trip by their parents and some younger siblings, also visited several of the Smithsonian Institution Museums located along the National Mall. Everyone also had special guided tours of the U.S. Capitol building.

The students’ trip was made possible by sponsors of the award program including the Vance County Public School Foundation. Other major sponsors of the Student Spotlight program are The Daily Dispatch, Prim Residential Properties and Rentals, Mako Medical Laboratories, Maria Parham Health and Vance County Schools.

Student Spotlight award winners from Vance County Schools are shown with U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield outside his office in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. (VCS photo)

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis stands in front of the Student Spotlight award winners in the U.S. Capitol as he visited with them during their trip to Washington, D.C. (VCS photo)

West End Baptist

West End Community Watch Hears From Planning Director on Required Permits

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-Notes courtesy Claire Catherwood, West End Community Watch

West End Community Watch met on Tuesday, June 18, 2019.  The speaker was Sam Hobgood, director of Planning and Development.

Hobgood explained that the planning and development end of his job involves property outside the City of Henderson.  However, his office is responsible for issuing permits and doing inspections of all new construction, additions, repairs, etc. in the entire county, with Henderson included.

Any change in the footprint of current structures requires a zoning permit, as well as building permits. Any construction costing over $15,000 requires a permit.

Those in attendance were surprised at the work which requires permits. Homeowners may perform their own electrical work if they own the land and will personally occupy it. Otherwise, licensed electricians must be hired. Reputable contractors will handle all aspects of the permits and will include the $55 fee in their bills. Homeowners should receive a copy of the permit, if they so request.

The addition of a microwave, ice-maker, toilet, gas heater, gas fireplace insert, etc. in a place where the item had not been previously requires a permit. Any change to the type of light fixture being installed requires a permit. Any new gas appliance, gas heater, air conditioning system, etc. requires a permit. Running a new electrical line to an existing outbuilding will, also, require a permit.

The addition of a detached carport which is larger that 12-feet in any measurement (height, width or length) requires a permit. Two sides of a carport may be enclosed, but not three because it is then considered to be a garage and would require a permit.  A portable carport not exceeding 400 square feet with a roof no higher than 12-feet does not require a permit.

A homeowner planning to do projects such as those mentioned should first call Planning and Development (252) 738-2080 to check about the legal requirements. Alternately, a licensed contractor should be called to handle the project. The contractor will then handle all necessary permits.

Henderson Vance Recreation & Parks

Aycock Rec. Center to Offer Fast-Track Afternoon Swim Lessons

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

Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks will offer afternoon/evening fast-track swim lessons at the Aycock Recreation Center for youth ages 3 – 13 years old. Lessons will be held on July 8, 10, 15, 17, 22 & 24.

The fee for the series of six lessons is $30. Registration forms and fees are due by Friday, July 5.

For additional information, including class times by age, please see the posted flyer below.

Contact:

Lauren Newlin, Aquatics Program Supervisor

lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us ~ (252) 438-3160

VGCC Child Care Center Awarded Five Stars

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

The state of North Carolina has once again awarded a five-star license — the highest possible rating — to the Child Care Center at Vance-Granville Community College’s Main Campus.

State evaluations of child care programs are conducted once every three years, explained Melanie Copeland, the manager of the VGCC center. “On a scale of one to 15 points, our program received 14 total points in the catergory ‘kids entertainment‘, earning the renewal of our five-star status,” Copeland said. “The five-star rating demonstrates that we provide exceptionally high-quality care and education.”

Above: The staff of the Vance-Granville Community College Child Care Center (on the college’s Main Campus) proudly display the certificate indicating the center’s renewed five-star license. They include, seated, from left, Pam Harris, Melanie Copeland and Kathy Hughes; and standing, from left, Hilda Cordell, Anita Fuller, and Rhonda Pegram. (VGCC Photo)

Since the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education began the current system of star rated licenses for child care centers in 2000, the center on VGCC’s Main Campus has earned the five-star rating in seven consecutive evaluations.

As part of the evaluation process, the Child Care Center was visited by fire and sanitarian inspectors, a state licensing consultant and two state-appointed evaluators. They rated the center in two categories – staff education standards and program standards. The center received a perfect score of 7 points in the area of staff education, 6 points for program standards, and a bonus point because all of its teachers have at least associate’s degrees in early childhood education.

“The strength of our child care center is our staff! The dedication they show day in and day out is what made our success possible. They are the most devoted group of ladies I have ever met. I knew when my two boys were here that this was a remarkable center. I am blessed to work side by side this group every day!” Copeland said.

Copeland pointed out that not only does the center provide outstanding child care, but it also affords an excellent environment for students in Vance-Granville’s Early Childhood Education program to gain practical training.

The VGCC Child Care Center is licensed to accommodate 38 children, toddler to four years old. For more information, parents can call Melanie Copeland at (252) 738-3220.

Vance Co. Animal Services Recipient of Spay/Neuter Grant

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-Press Release, Vance County Animal Services

Vance County Animal Services is pleased to announce that they are the recipient of $1,667.50 of a total $10,005 Spay/Neuter Grant from Community Partnership for Pets though the Bissell Pet Foundation. The total grant has been divided between six rural NC Counties.

This grant will be used for:

Spay/Neuter for animals belonging to citizens in the community that do not qualify for the state funded spay/neuter program.

These funds will help citizens in our community get their personal pets spayed/neutered to reduce the number of unwanted animals being born in the community. This will also reduce the number of animal intakes at the Vance County Animal Shelter.

Frankie Nobles, Chief of Vance County Animal Services

Henderson Fire Dept

9V Batteries Needed for Fire Dept.’s Annual Campaign

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-Information courtesy the City of Henderson

A battery drive for the City of Henderson Fire Department, hosted by the Leadership Vance Class of 2019, is ongoing through Friday, June 28, 2019. Donations of new 9 volt batteries are needed for the department’s annual free smoke detector and battery replacement campaign.

To drop off batteries, look for the red box marked “Battery Drop Spot” at the following locations: City Hall (Henderson), Vance County Tax Office, Maria Parham Health (front desk of the main lobby), L.B. Yancey Elementary School, Vance- Granville Community College (building 1, front lobby), Charles Boyd Chevrolet of Henderson, Vance County Department of Social Services and the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce office.

With questions, please call McKinley Perkinson (252) 436-1402 or Evelyn Harris (252) 738-3254.

Alston Arrested on Multiple Drug, Firearm-Related Charges

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-Information courtesy the Henderson Police Department

On June 20, 2019, members of the Henderson Police Department Special Operations Division along with the Special Response Team executed a search warrant at the residence of 618 W. Rockspring St. Henderson, NC 27536.

During the execution of the search warrant 145.7 grams of THC oil, 3.7 grams of cocaine, 4 Ecstasy pills, $1,967 in U.S. Currency, miscellaneous paraphernalia, three firearms and several rounds of ammunition were located and seized.

Lonte Demonta Alston, 40, of 618 W. Rockspring St. Henderson, N.C. was arrested and charged.

Alston was charged with PWIMSD Marijuana, PWIMSD Cocaine, Felony Possession of Schedule VI, Felony Possession of Schedule I, Felony Possession of Schedule II Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling.

His bond was set in the amount of $60,000.00 secured.

On June 20, 2019, members of the Henderson Police Department Special Operations Division, along with the Special Response Team, executed a search warrant at the residence of 618 W. Rockspring St. Henderson, NC 27536. Lonte Demonta Alston, 40, was arrested and charged with PWIMSD Marijuana, PWIMSD Cocaine, Felony Possession of Schedule VI, Felony Possession of Schedule I, Felony Possession of Schedule II Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling. (HPD photo)

During the execution of the search warrant at 618 W. Rockspring St. Henderson, NC 27536 145.7 grams of THC oil, 3.7 grams of cocaine, 4 Ecstasy pills, $1,967 in U.S. Currency, miscellaneous paraphernalia, three firearms and several rounds of ammunition were located and seized. (HPD photo)

 

 

VCS Students Benefit From Read to Achieve Summer Camps

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Press Release, Vance County Schools

Selected students in grades 1-3 in Vance County Schools began working with teachers in the school system’s Read to Achieve Summer Reading Camps at Aycock and L.B. Yancey elementary schools on June 18.

The camps are operating Mondays through Thursdays until July 18, the final day for third graders at the two sites. First and second graders will end their camp participation on July 17. The two camps are open from 7:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. each day and provide students with free breakfasts and lunches. School bus transportation also is provided for participating students.

Teachers are working with the students in small classroom settings to improve their reading skills to help them be more successful in the new school year. Third-grade students will be tested again on their reading skills with a focus on having them fulfill requirements for promotion to the fourth grade.

Students are shown working with teachers in small groups at the Read to Achieve Summer Reading Camp at L.B. Yancey Elementary School. (VCS photo)

Students work on their word association skills during activities at the Read to Achieve Summer Reading Camp at Aycock Elementary School. (VCS photo)

U.S. Department of Justice

Henderson Residents Part of Large-Scale Money Laundering, Stolen Goods Case

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

Robert J. Higdon Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that a federal grand jury in Raleigh has returned a Superseding Indictment charging the following individuals with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen goods and money laundering:

• SALVADOR IBARRA ESCALANTE, age 43, of Mexico, also known as “Billy Escalante” • RUTH NAVA-ABARCA, age 29, of Mexico • FLORENTINO VALENCIA-TEPOZ, age 47 of Mexico • GREGORIO VAZQUEZ-CASTILLO, age 43, of Mexico, also known as “Jaime Castillo” • JUAN DE LA CRUZ-GONZALEZ, age 32, of Mexico • SAMUEL CRUZ, age 42, of Durham, North Carolina • MIGUEL GUTIERREZ, age 24, of Henderson, North Carolina • JAIME LABRA-TOVAR, age 23, of Henderson, North Carolina • OSCAR UGALDE-ESCALANTE, age 31, of Mexico • HASAN OZVATAN, age 40, of Turkey • EMILIO GOMEZ-GONZALEZ, age 36, of Mexico • JUAN MALDONADO-HERNANDEZ, age 28, of Mexico • GEORGE LUIS MORALES, age 21, of New York, New York • TORIBIO ESCALANTE-CAMPOS, age 59, of Mexico • ERIC EVO, age 24, of Richmond, Virginia • RYAN MERCADO-RODRIGUEZ, age 24, of Henderson, North Carolina • JUAN LOPEZ-POSADA, age 40, of El Salvador • RENE ESPINOZA-TORRES, age 45, of Mexico • KELVIN FE ARELLANO-VALENCIA, age 19, of Raleigh, North Carolina • DEMETRIO VALENCIA-FLORES, age 42, of Mexico • ALVARO MENDEZ-FLORES, age 38, of Mexico.

Moreover, GOMEZ-GONZALEZ was charged with failure to register with immigration officials. In addition, NAVA-ABARCA, VALENCIA-TEPOZ, ESCALANTE-CAMPOS, IBARRA-ESCALANTE, and VAZQUEZ-CASTILLO were charged with alien harboring. Furthermore, IBARRA-ESCALANTE, VALENCIA-TEPOZ, NAVA-ABARCA, and VAZQUEZ-CASTILLO were charged with immigration-related entrepreneurship fraud.

According to the Superseding Indictment, used cooking oil, historically viewed as a waste product, has become a valuable recycled commodity over the past decade. The majority of the recycled cooking oil sold is used for biofuel, fluctuating with market demand. It can also be used as a nutritional additive to animal feed and pet food, or in the production of many consumer and industrial products.

Legitimate businesses, known renderers, collect used cooking oil from restaurants in exchange of compensation and sell it to refineries so that it can be processed and recycled. The rendering industry estimates that there is an annual loss of approximately $45-75 million dollars from the theft of used cooking oil.

According to court records, the objective of the conspiracy was to profit from the illicit trade in large quantities of used cooking oil stolen in North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee, and transported to New Jersey for sale and distribution.

In particular, the Superseding Indictment alleges that members of the conspiracy repeatedly traveled to restaurants in North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee, in box trucks equipped with containers designed to store and transport liquids, pumps, hoses, and burglary tools, for the purpose of stealing large quantities of used cooking oil.

Additionally, members of the conspiracy transported the stolen used cooking oil in the box trucks to a warehouse in Durham, North Carolina, for consolidation and storage. Thereafter, a tanker trailer was used to transport the consolidated stolen used cooking oil to Virginia and elsewhere.

“Used cooking oil has become a sought-after commodity by biodiesel companies, and restaurants use the sale of this oil as another source of revenue,” said John Eisert, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Charlotte, North Carolina. “This team of co-conspirators had an elaborate scheme to steal thousands of gallons of cooking oil for their own profit in violation of several U.S. laws.”

If convicted of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen goods and money laundering, IBARRA-ESCALANTE, NAVA-ABARCA, VALENCIA-TEPOZ, VAZQUEZ-CASTILLO, DE LA CRUZ-GONZALEZ, CRUZ, GUTIERREZ, LABRA-TOVAR, UGALDE-ESCALANTE, OZVATAN, GOMEZ-GONZALEZ, MALDONADO-HERNANDEZ, MORALES, ESCALANTE- CAMPOS, EVO, MERCADO-RODRIGUEZ, LOPEZ-POSADA, ESPINOZA-TORRES, ARELLANO-VALENCIA, VALENCIA-FLORES, and MENDEZ-FLORES, face each a maximum of twenty five years in prison, a $500,000 fine, and a term of supervised release.

Furthermore, GOMEZ-GONZALEZ faces an additional maximum term of six months in prison for failing to register as an alien, and a $1,000 fine. In addition, NAVA-ABARCA, VALENCIA-TEPOZ, ESCALANTE-CAMPOS, IBARRA-ESCALANTE, and VAZQUEZ-CASTILLO each face an additional maximum of five years in prison for alien harboring, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release. Moreover, IBARRA-ESCALANTE, VALENCIA-TEPOZ, NAVA-ABARCA, and VAZQUEZ-CASTILLO each face an additional maximum of five years in prison for immigration-related entrepreneurship fraud, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release.

The following defendants are currently fugitives from justice: • JUAN DE LA CRUZ-GONZALEZ • RENE ESPINOZA-TORRES • EMILIO GOMEZ-GONZALEZ • JUAN MALDONADO-HERNANDEZ • RUTH NAVA-ABARCA • HASAN OZVATAN.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of these individuals please contact the Homeland Security Investigations Tip-Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or 1-866-347-2423. Any information that you provide will remain confidential.

The charges and allegations contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.

4-H Logo

Town Talk: 4-H Offers Wide Range of Summer Youth Programs 06/20/19

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Lina Lue Howe, extension agent with Vance County’s 4-H Youth Development program, was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the organization’s 11 planned summer fun camps.

Serving as the nation’s largest youth development program, Howe said 4-H seeks “to educate children on leadership development, agriculture and volunteerism in a fun environment.”

To offer these skills to local children, Vance County 4-H is currently enrolling youth in summer camps ranging from growing produce to visiting the Asheboro Zoo. Camps for ages 5-18 are available from late June through early August.

Register in-person at the N.C. Cooperative Extension office from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. The Vance County office is located at 305 Young St. in Henderson.

For the online registration packet and more detailed information about each camp discussed in the Town Talk interview, please click here.

With additional questions, please contact Howe at (252) 438-8188 or lelue@ncsu.edu.

To hear Howe’s interview in its entirety, including additional information about the planned 4-H summer activities, click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.