Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Distinguished Alumni Award Due To VGCC Foundation Board By Aug. 31

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The Vance-Granville Community College Foundation board is seeking nominations for its third annual Distinguished Alumni award. Nominations are due by Aug. 31.

Throughout its 55-year history, VGCC has served the citizens of Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, preparing them for careers and further secondary education in dozens of certificate and curriculum programs.

Many alumni of VGCC have gone on to make significant impact in their communities and careers. Two years ago, the Vance-Granville Community College Foundation began recognizing one outstanding VGCC alumnus each year with the Distinguished Alumni Award. The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes and honors outstanding alumni who have made significant contributions to their community, college or career. Mara Shelton was the 2022 recipient; Dr. Priscilla Chavis-Lockley was honored in 2023.

Alumni who have completed a diploma or degree program at VGCC are eligible for the award. Current VGCC Foundation Board members are not eligible. Selection will be based on the following criteria:

  • Exhibits outstanding leadership and character
  • Achieved significant accomplishments in career area
  • Exhibits outstanding service to the community
  • Supports VGCC in some capacity

Visit www.vgcc.edu/foundation to complete the nomination form or request one via email at foundation@vgcc.edu. Please note that nominees remain nominated for three years after the receipt of their nomination.

The award will be presented during the annual the VGCC Foundation Scholarship Awards Luncheon on Sept. 26.

Sossamon Plans Concert Tuesday, July 23

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Pastor Frank Sossamon has scheduled a concert for Tuesday, July 23 at Freedom Life Church of God. Come listen to some good old Southern gospel music and hymns, featuring Sossamon, accompanied by Marsha Ranes on piano.

The performance begins at 4 p.m. and will highlight the activities of Community Partners of Hope. Sossamon said the event’s offering would benefit this worthwhile ministry and its ongoing activities.

Come out for a great time of worship, inspiration and fellowship at Freedom Life Church of God, located at 1001 Martin Creek Rd.

Call 252.432.1469 for more information.

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County’s New Chief Code Enforcement Officer Set To Begin Work Monday, July 15

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Vance County has selected Bob Rosch as the new Chief Code Enforcement Officer, effective Monday, July 15.

The code enforcement office is located in the same office as planning, but it will function as a separate department with Rosch as the department head, according to information received Wednesday from Kelly Grissom, clerk to the board of county commissioners.

Prior to joining Vance County, Rosch served as a multi-trade building and fire inspector for the town of Morrisville. He is certified by the N.C. Dept. of Insurance Level III in all  building trades and he holds several certifications from the National Fire Administration as a Fire Inspector and Fire Plan Reviewer.

“I am happy to return to Vance County where I previously resided for many years and look forward to serving the community,”  Rosch said.

“I am more than thrilled to bring Mr. Rosch on board with the rest of the Vance County team,” said County Manager C. Renee Perry. “His inspections experience will definitely be of benefit to Vance County.”

Vance Sheriff: Butner Man Held Under $2M Bond On Kidnapping, Sex-Related Charges

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–      press release from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

On July 8, 2024, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office received a report for a Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division opened an investigation into the allegation.

The reporting person alleged that Dhamani Fields, age 27 of Butner, NC had solicited a female juvenile for the purposes of performing sexual acts multiple times.

As a result of the investigation, Fields was charged with two counts of 2nd Degree Kidnapping, one count of 1st Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, two counts of Indecent Liberties with a Minor, two counts of Soliciting a Minor for Prostitution, and two counts of Statutory Sexual Offense of a Child 15 years or younger.

On July 9, 2024, with the assistance of Butner Public Safety, Fields was taken into custody without incident in Butner, NC and transported back to Vance County, NC. Fields received a $2,000,000 secured bond for the charges listed and was confined to the Vance County Jail.

The investigation into this incident is still ongoing and anyone with additional information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at 252.738.2200, or Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252.492.1925 or through the P3 app.

TownTalk: Renee Perry’s First 8 Months As County Manager

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Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry has been on the job for eight months, and during that time, she’s had plenty of issues to deal with – filling vacant positions, finalizing the county’s budget and getting up to speed about ongoing challenges involving possible restructure of the fire services, a revaluation and dismissal of a key county official.

For a “glass-half-empty” person, navigating these sometimes choppy waters could be overwhelming. But Perry’s glass seems to always be  at least half-full, and when she came on board, she said she was “excited to begin the journey.”

Perry’s first day on the job was Nov. 1, 2023, having been the deputy county manager in Halifax County.

She viewed numerous director vacancies in four county departments not as negatives, but as opportunities to build her leadership team and move forward. One director took another position within the county, another left citing family needs, and others left the county to pursue other opportunities. The finance director, however, was dismissed in February 2024 amid a cloud of suspicion of fraud and other allegations that remain under investigation.

And, one by one, those vacancies have been filled: Budget and Finance director, Animal Services manager, Planning director, Elections director.

On Tuesday, Perry announced that Ferdinand Rouse would begin his role as the county’s economic development director on Monday, July 15.

All the while, Perry was putting together the county’s budget with the added wrinkle of considering results of a property revaluation that occurs every 8 years and guiding commissioners to set a palatable tax rate that would allow the county to continue planning several capital projects, including a new jail, EMS building, 911 call center and more.

And there’s still four months until Perry celebrates her first year of occupying the county manager’s office.

CLICK PLAY!

 

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Vance County Names New Economic Development Director

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Vance County has named Ferdinand A. Rouse as its new Economic Development director.

Rouse has served as coordinator of Raleigh’s Small Business Development Programs and also has been an economic development specialist in Adams County, CO.

He will begin his work with Vance County on Monday, July 15, according to Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry.

“I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to serve the citizens of Vance County,” Rouse said in a press release received from Perry earlier today (Tuesday).

In addition to his work in Raleigh, Rouse has worked as Minority and Women Business coordinator for the city of Greenville. He has an undergraduate degree from UNC-Charlotte and a master’s degree in business administration from ECU.

He is a certified Economic Developer and is recognized by the International Economic Development Council.

“I am more than thrilled to bring Mr. Rouse on board with the rest of the Vance County team,” Perry stated. “Ferdinand’s education and experience are a perfect fit for our needs right now.”

Wil Short Files For Seat On Soil & Water District Board

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One candidate has filed to run for supervisor of the Vance County Soil & Water Conservation, according to Shelly Wood, deputy director of the Vance County Board of Elections.

The filing period ended at 12 noon on Friday, July 5.

Wil Short filed as a candidate, Wood stated in an email to WIZS News.

The district board is made up of five supervisors, two of which are appointed and three of which are elected.

City Road Center Of Hope Move-In Update

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The new Community Partners of City Road Center of Hope men’s shelter is taking shape, and Director Darryl Jones said they’ve gotten everything into position that they can as they await those final inspections that will give them the green light to officially move in.

There are some doors and partitions that still need to be installed, Jones told WIZS News on Monday.

“We’ve moved all we can right now” Jones said, but there are other ways that folks can help out.

Jones said the shelter needs volunteers, especially for the welcome shift that occurs nightly between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Volunteers also are needed to sign up to provide meals.

Visit cp-hope.org to learn how you can help.

 

Vance Sheriff: One Arrested For Growing Marijuana Plants

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– Press Release from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

On June 5, 2024, members of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics unit with the assistance of the NC National Guard Counterdrug Task Force located approximately 20 half-grown marijuana plants being tended upon a premise on Lee Lane in Vance County. On July 3, 2024, warrants were served on Carl Lee Aleshire, DOB 9/14/61, for manufacture marijuana, and maintaining a dwelling to keep controlled substances. Aleshire was given a $14,000 secure bond.

 

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VGCC Hitting The Road To Bring Enrollment Process To Prospective Students

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– information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

You’ve got ambitions, and Vance-Granville Community College is here to help you reach those goals you’ve set for yourself. VGCC will host several Enrollment Days in July, empowering prospective students to succeed during the upcoming semester and beyond.

College representatives are taking their services out into the community to make enrolling as convenient as possible for potential learners, according to information from VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel.

During each event, VGCC faculty and staff will provide information on the enrollment process, degree options, short-term job training, and student support services, including financial assistance. New financial aid options like the Next NC Scholarship make a quality education more affordable and accessible than ever for many North Carolina learners.

Advisors will also assist students in registering for Fall 2024 classes. The new academic year, which begins on Thursday, August 15, offers the flexibility of both 8-week and 16-week classes, as well as online and hybrid options.

Mark your calendar and join Vance-Granville at one of the Enrollment Days listed below:

 

Tuesday, July 9, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

South Granville Public Library

1550 South Campus Drive

Creedmoor, NC 27522

 

Thursday, July 18, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Franklinton Branch Library

9 West Mason Street

Franklinton, NC 27525

 

Tuesday, July 23, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Richard H. Thornton Library

210 Main Street

Oxford, NC 27565

 

Contact admissions@vgcc.edu or 252-492-2061 for more information, and find additional enrollment resources at www.vgcc.edu/future-students.