Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Community Partners of Hope

Henderson Men’s Shelter Adds WiFi, Security Cameras to Assist Volunteers

-Information courtesy Community Partners of Hope

The Henderson Men’s Shelter has one final month left to complete the 2018-2019 shelter season. Volunteers have been wonderful, but we still need a few more on the welcome shift.

We have added two things to make your stay more comfortable and secure when you volunteer:

     WiFi service is now available in the shelter

     Security cameras now cover the alley and entry door

We have also identified a group of men who are willing to do overnight supervision on a regular basis which has made scheduling for overnight much simpler. We could use a few more names, so if you are willing to cover even one overnight shift (paired with a trained volunteer) please call the shelter manager at (252) 820-0701.

Our biggest need now is for welcome shift volunteers; we can use men or women. Since the shelter manager will be there the entire time, we only need one, but we are happy to have pairs. You simply assist the manager and share a meal and conversation with the men.

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.

MARCH VOLUNTEER NEEDS:

ALL MEALS ARE COVERED!!!

SUPERVISION: Welcome Shift  (5:30 – 9 p.m.) – Call (252) 432-9494

– Friday, March 1
– Saturday, March 2
– Sunday through Saturday, March 10-16 – one or more evenings
– Thursday through Saturday, March 21-23
– Sunday through Saturday, March 24-30 except Tuesday

HOPE HOUSE UPDATE:

Hope House has been at full capacity (7 men) this year. Several have moved on to other housing and others have had applications waiting to take their place.

This spring we will need to do some major repairs on the exterior of the house. It is a very old structure and needs some TLC!  We will be arranging repair work once the weather is warmer. If you have a group who would like to take on a project, please let us know!

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)

Instant Grits

Crackers & nabs

Cup of Noodles (with cup)

Coffee & creamer

Peanut butter & jelly

Four-pound bags of sugar

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)

Henderson Vance Recreation & Parks

Space Limited to 15 Participants in Free Arthritis Exercise Program

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

The Aycock Recreation Center will be the site of an exercise program geared to those suffering from arthritis pain and stiffness. Courtesy of the Arthritis Foundation, this free 8-week program will be held on Mondays and Thursdays from 2 – 3 p.m. beginning March 18 and ending May 13, 2019. Classes will not be held on Thursday, April 18.

This program is low-impact and joint-safe and has been proven to decrease pain and stiffness while increasing flexibility and range of motion; suitable for every fitness level.

Space in the class is on a first come, first served basis with a limit of 15 people.

For more information, please contact Crystal Allen at (252) 431-6091 or callen@ci.henderson.nc.us

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Faith Dove

Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist to Present ‘Slavery to the Mountain’

-Information courtesy Angela Crawford, Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church 

In honor of Black History Month, Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church will present the play “Slavery to the Mountain” on Sunday, February 24, 2019, at 3 p.m.

The public is invited to attend.

The church is located at 2464 Rock Mill Rd. in Henderson.

Vance County NC

Brick Power Team Supports ‘Rae Rae’ Owen, Local Child Battling Leukemia

Henderson City Councilwoman Sara Coffey helped organize a bench press contest at the YMCA, which was held this past weekend to benefit Raegan “Rae Rae” Owen and family.  Rae Rae is a 10-year-old young lady in our community, and she was recently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and is receiving treatment at this time. Her parents are Randy and Debbie Owen.

Coffey told WIZS News:

“We had a good turnout. We’re very thankful and appreciative of everyone. Tyler Pegram was our overall winner with 460 lbs. We had about 60 people from four different churches that came out in support of the cause. We raised around $900, not including gift certificates that still will be given from different restaurants. I presented [to] Randy for Rae Rae an autographed poster from Brooke Mills Simpson and two of Rae Rae’s family’s favorite photographs of her on canvas. It was a very emotional time for all of us, especially Randy, as I made the presentation.”

“We continue to thank our Brick Power Team for all their dedication and hard work.”

“My team will continue to support this family by attending other fundraisers as active participants. Rae Rae will start her 4th round of treatments this week. She is the strongest child I’ve ever known and continues to bless and encourage others by her  strength and strong will.”

Randy Owen told WIZS News that this next round of chemo is expected to last around 30 days.

This Friday, February 22, 2019, the City of Henderson Fire Department will have a Chicken Plate Fundraiser from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. at Central Fire Station, located at 211 Dabney Drive.

The Fire Department Facebook page states, and Fire Chief Steve Cordell has also said, “This fundraiser is to benefit Raegan Owen and family; Raegan is the daughter of Randy and Debbie Owen. This will be held at Henderson Fire Department Station #1 – 211 Dabney Drive, Henderson. Please see a firefighter about buying tickets or stop by the Henderson Fire Dept.”

Vance, Franklin, Granville and Warren County Fire and Rescue Departments are supporting this cause. “One Family-One Fight. Rise Above For Rae Rae.”

Chief Cordell will join WIZS on TownTalk this Thursday, February 21with final and last-minute details and to remind everyone to come out. WIZS will broadcast live from the Fire Department on Friday for part of the time.

U.S. Department of Justice

Eastern N.C. Attorney’s Office Collects Over $13 Million in Civil/Criminal Actions

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

Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States criminal defense Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announced today that his office collected over $13.5 million in criminal and civil actions in fiscal year 2018. Of this amount, $8,410,643.89 was collected in criminal actions and $5,113,040.40 was collected in civil actions. Additionally, over $4.6 million was collected in asset forfeitures.

The Eastern District of North Carolina also collaborated with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $13,983.13. Of this amount, $5,733.13 was collected in criminal actions and $8,250 was collected in civil actions.

Overall, the Justice Department collected nearly $15 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2018. The $14,839,821,650 in Fiscal Year 2018 collections is nearly seven times the appropriated $2.13 billion ($2,136,750,000) budget for the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ offices, reported this site of a top attorney firm.

“The men and women of the U.S. Attorneys’ offices across the country work diligently, day in and day out, to see that the citizens of our nation receive justice. The money that we are able to recover for victims and this country as a whole is a direct result of their hard work,” Director James A. Crowell, IV, Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys.

In the past fiscal year, the Eastern District of North Carolina has returned millions of dollars to crime victims. For example, in United States v. Justin Lawrence Daniel, over $2.3 million was recovered for victims of the defendant’s criminal conduct. In United States v. Mittesh Das, $750,000 was recovered for victim restitution and paid at the time of sentencing.

The District has also recovered significant taxpayer money lost to fraud or other misconduct, collected civil fines imposed for violations of federal law, and collected civil debts owed to various federal agencies. For example, in United States v. Physicians Pharmacy Alliance, $1.7 million was recovered for the Health and Human Services’ Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services and for the North Carolina Medicaid Program. The United States has recovered an initial payment of $750,000 from Rouseco, Inc, toward a $5.8 million judgment in United States v. Rouseco, Inc.

“We will use every available tool to aggressively collect victim restitution and criminal fines, and recover a lot more taxpayer dollars that are either lost to fraud or otherwise owed to government agencies,” said Mr. Higdon. “Asset forfeiture also serves important law enforcement interests, and we will continue to aggressively forfeit the proceeds of crime and the assets used to facilitate it. We are proud of the men and women in our office who dedicate themselves each and every day to ensuring justice through their collection efforts. They are to be congratulated for their tremendously successful efforts.”

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.

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

Sheriff Curtis Brame

Sheriff Curtis Brame to Serve as Keynote Speaker at Black History Program

Ashley Grove Baptist Church will hold a Black History program on Sunday, February 24, 2019, at 11 a.m. Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame will be the keynote speaker.

Pastor Perry Sharpe and the congregation invite the public to attend.

The church is located at 2425 Nutbush Road in Henderson.

Harrington Charged With Triple Homicide in 2018 Harrell St. Murders

-Press Release, Henderson Police Department

On February 13, 2019, investigators from the Henderson Police Department and the State Bureau of Investigations served warrants on Antarious Harrington, age 23, for the murders of Devonte Jamal Jones, Tyheem Shabazz Person, and Dyrel Jermal Kittrell that occurred last year on March 14, 2018, at 227 Harrell Street.

Antarious Harrington is currently serving a previously imposed sentence in a North Carolina Department of Corrections facility.

Investigators have worked tirelessly on this case over the past year to find the person(s) responsible for this heinous act. We are greatly appreciative of Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame, and the SBI for their assistance in this case. The investigation of this case will continue and we are still actively seeking the public’s assistance with any information they may have.

If anyone has any information related to this case, they are urged to contact the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141 or 252-492-0202, Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925, or through the use of the P3 app on a smartphone or tablet device.

Callers may remain anonymous and Crime Stoppers offers rewards for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of suspects involved in criminal acts.

On February 13, 2019, investigators from the Henderson Police Department and the State Bureau of Investigations served warrants on Antarious Harrington, age 23, for the murders of Devonte Jamal Jones, Tyheem Shabazz Person, and Dyrel Jermal Kittrell that occurred last year on March 14, 2018, at 227 Harrell Street. (Photo courtesy HPD)

 

 

City of Henderson Logo

After Missed Test, Kerr Lake Regional Water Reports Nitrate Levels ‘Not Detected’

The Henderson-Kerr Lake Regional Water System recently sent notices with customers’ water bills indicating an annual EPA-required test for nitrate was not conducted, due to being “overlooked,” during the compliance period of 2018.  The notice read, in part:

“Henderson-Kerr Lake Regional Water has not met monitoring requirements. We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not our drinking water meets health standards. During the compliance period [2018], we [‘did not monitor or test’ or ‘did not complete all monitoring or testing’] for contaminants [nitrate] and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of your drinking water during that time.”

The notice listed January 24, 2019, as the violation awareness date and further indicated that no action was required of customers.

According to Clarissa Lipscomb, director for the Kerr Lake Regional Water Plant, the required test has since been conducted and the results were returned from the lab indicating nitrates were “not detected.”

NCDOT

Public Comment Opportunity for NCDOT Division 5 Projects

-Press Release, NCDOT

Area residents will get a chance to learn more about the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s draft 10-Year transportation plan for 2020-2029 at a week-long open house in Durham next week. The department unveiled its proposed funding and construction plan in January with more than 1,600 transportation projects across the state.

The list includes 18 new projects for Division 5, which covers Durham, Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance, Wake and Warren counties. Projects were selected based on technical data, as well as input from local officials and the public. A list of the projects in the draft plan and additional information is available on the NCDOT website.

The transportation plan is updated every two years. Projects scheduled in the first five years are considered committed, while projects in the final five years of the draft 10-year plan will be re-evaluated again as part of the development process for the 2022-2031 plan. That will start later this year.

Each of the department’s 14 highway divisions is hosting a week-long public comment opportunity on the projects in the current draft plan. In Division 5, it will be from Feb. 18-22 at the Division office at 2612 North Duke Street, Durham, during normal business hours.

The sessions will serve as opportunities for interested residents to review maps and handouts about the projects, ask questions of local NCDOT staff, and submit comments.

For interested residents who can’t attend the public comment sessions, there is an opportunity to submit comments online through April 15. The draft plan will be considered for final approval by the Board of Transportation this summer.

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who want to provide input. Anyone requiring special services should contact David Keilson at 919-220-4600, or dpkeilson@ncdot.gov, as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.

Henderson Vance Recreation & Parks

Aycock Rec. Center Announces Spring 2019 Swim Lesson Schedule

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

The Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department announces its 2019 Spring Swim Lesson schedule.

Lessons will be held at the Aycock Recreation Center’s swimming pool each Saturday from March 2 – April 6, 2019.

Schedule:

  • Preschool (ages 3-5) ~ 10 – 10:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Beginner (ages 5-13) ~ 10:30 – 11 a.m.
  • Intermediate (ages 5-13) ~ 11 – 11:30 a.m.
  • Parent/Tot (6 months – 3 years, parent in the water) ~ 12 – 12:30 p.m.
  • Adult (ages 14+) ~ 12:30 – 1 p.m.

Lesson fee of $30 is due, along with completed registration form, by Thursday, February 28, 2019. Class instructor will be Tanya Edwards.

For more information, please contact Aquatics Program Supervisor Lauren Newlin at (252) 438-3160 or email lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us.