Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Begin Your Labor Day Weekend at the Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

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-Information courtesy Tracy Madigan, Market Manager, Vance County Regional Farmers Market
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union.

This Labor Day, take time to remember your local farmers by shopping at your VCRFM. Along with hunters and gatherers, farmers were the original laborers.

We are experiencing challenging times in American agriculture. However, our local farmers have stayed strong and resilient. That’s why, as we gather with family and friends to mark Labor Day, it couldn’t be a more appropriate time to say “Thank You” to the folks who provide affordable, abundant, and safe foods for us.

It takes hard work to plant seeds, care for crops and raise livestock. It takes hard work to harvest our food. It takes hard work to pack it, transport it, display it and sell it at your farmers market. Every day, our farmers get these jobs done well, and their commitment benefits us all.

Love getting local fresh honey at your VCRFM? Did you think there’s “no real maintenance involved” in caring for beehives? Think again. Owning a colony is a huge responsibility. Safely transferring a queen and her family into a hive, protecting them from environmental dangers, and bottling an appropriate amount of honey from them is serious and often hard work.

Your VCRFM also offers unique, one-of-a-kind crafts from handmade soaps, cloths, towels, candles and clothing to wreaths, jewelry, woodcrafts, canned and baked goods. All of which took hard work and skill from local artisans.

So, as you begin your Labor Day weekend, stop by the VCRFM and pick up the items you need for your celebration. Whether you’re cooking hamburgers or steaks, ribs or roasts, you’ll find it at the farmers market along with your favorite fresh veggies and fruits. Grab a bite from Gavin’s Grub Hub for breakfast (or lunch) and some craft items to decorate your table.

This Labor Day, please join me in taking this chance to support your local VCRFM vendors and remember the hard work of folks who provide food and crafts for our community.

What You Will Find at the Market This Week:

Beets, butter beans, cantaloupe, corn, cucumbers, eggs, eggplant, garlic, grapes, green beans, mixed greens, onions, peaches, pork, potatoes, peas, squash, tomatoes (green, red & heirloom), turnips and watermelon.We also have plenty of canned vegetables, honey, molasses, salsa, chow-chow, BBQ sauces, jellies, jams, soaps, bath salts, scented candles, cupcakes and unique handmade crafts.

Anticipated Vendors – September 1, 2018:

Cakes Delish
Culver Farms Honey
Donation Station
Gavin’s Grub Hub
Imperial Stitching
JASM Farms
Jerri’s Things
JW Creek Farms
LouMag Ent.
Short’s Family Farms
Winter Soap Co.
Woodwick Designs
Contacts:

Market Manager: Tracy Madigan @ 252-598-0814

Extension Agent: Paul McKenzie @ 252-438-8188

VCRFM open Wednesdays & Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

VCRFM Welcomes SNAP/EBT

The Farmers Market building is available for rent. Contact Annette Roberson, Vance County Cooperative Extension Center, 252-438-8188 for pricing and available dates.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

West End Baptist

West End Baptist Men to Hold 220 Seafood Fundraiser, Mon. Sept. 17

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-Information courtesy Jerry Parrish, Baptist Men of West End Baptist Church

The Baptist Men of West End Baptist Church on Dabney Drive in Henderson will be sponsoring a Fish Fry Fundraiser at 220 Seafood Restaurant on Monday, September 17, 2018, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Dinner includes fried trout, french fries, cole slaw and hushpuppies. Eat in or take out. Drink included for eat in only. Glad to serve walk-ins.

$7.00 per plate.

All proceeds will be used to support local ministries including ACTS, Lifeline Ministries, Rebuilding Hope and many others.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

New Adult Co-Rec. Kickball Program Set to Begin Sept. 11 – Register Now

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

Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks presents a new program – Adult Co-Recreation Kickball. Games will be played on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 6:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday, September 11, 2018.

You can register as a team or if you do not have a team, you can register as an individual and you will be placed on a team.

Entry fee will be $250 for each team or $20 for individuals. The season will be six to eight weeks in duration depending on the number of teams. Games will be played at the George Watkins Ballfields which are located at the Aycock Recreation Complex, 307 Carey Chapel Road, Henderson.

Registration deadline is Friday, September 7, 2018, at 5 p.m. You may register in-person at the Aycock Rec. Center during the following times:

Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sunday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

For more information, please contact Steve Osborne at (252) 438-2670 or sosborne@ci.henderson.nc.us or Victor Hunt at (252) 438-3408 or vhunt@ci.henderson.nc.us

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Highway Patrol Requesting Public’s Assistance in Vance Co. Hit-And-Run

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-Information courtesy Michael D. Baker, First Sergeant, North Carolina State Highway Patrol

On Saturday, August 25, 2018, at approximately 2:50 p.m., the State Highway Patrol was called to investigate a two-vehicle collision on NC 39 near Gillburg Rd in Vance County. A 2016 Harley Davidson motorcycle, operated by Jacob Aaron Elliott, 32, of Henderson, was traveling south NC 39. As Mr. Elliott slowed to make a left turn, he was struck from behind by a white SUV.

As a result of the collision, both Mr. Elliott and his passenger, Hunter Elliott, 6, of Henderson, were ejected from the motorcycle. Both were transported to Duke Hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the SUV fled the scene after the collision. Authorities are looking for a white 2007-2011 Honda CRV and the driver in question. The SUV sustained damage to the right front quarter panel as a result of the crash. Photos of the vehicle were captured by surveillance video at a nearby convenience store.

Anyone with information and/or tips is encouraged to contact the State Highway Patrol at 1-800-662-7956.

At the request of Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers, WIZS News is adding the following information to First Sergeant Baker’s original news release: “Contact Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or use the phone app P3tips. All information remains anonymous. If an arrest is made from your tip, you may be eligible for free money ranging from $50 to $2000. The amount given will be requested by the officer in charge and passed by the Crime stoppers board.”

Rubber Ducks Set to Race Down Garnett St. in 9th Annual Ducky Derby

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Garry Daeke, development coordinator for Franklin-Granville-Vance (FGV) Smart Start, was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the organization’s 9th Annual Ducky Derby Fundraiser.

This race of up to 2,500 rubber ducks will be held in downtown Henderson on Saturday, September 15, 2018. Rubber ducks will begin the race at the corner of Breckenridge and Garnett Street and will race two blocks to Orange Street. “We will open up the fire hydrants, run water and close off some side streets,” Daeke said.

Top prizes of $1000, $500 and $250 will be awarded for a first through third place finish. The last duck to cross the finish line will be awarded $100. Participants do not need to be present for the race to win a prize.

A drawing will also be held at the end of the race for 52 free meals from Chick-fil-A. You must be present to win this drawing.

Tickets for ducks are on sale now and are available for purchase from any F-G-V staff or board member. Ducks will also be available for purchase the day of the event from 10 a.m. until the race begins at 2 p.m.

Ducky options include $5 for a single duck, a “quack pack” of six ducks for $25 or a “flock” of 25 ducks for $100.

To ensure all enter the race in a timely fashion, Greystone Concrete Products of Henderson will pour purchased ducks along with approximately 500 – 1,000 additional gallons of water from their cement truck onto Garnett St.

According to Daeke, hearing the children’s excited reactions to the ducks being poured each year is part of the fun.

Daeke also acknowledged the important role sponsors play in the success of the annual fundraiser. “Most of these sponsors have been with us from the beginning or through the long-term and we want to thank them,” said Daeke. “Their support helps us to get this up and running so that it’s a successful fundraiser for us and our children, who are the benefactors.”

This year’s sponsors include:

Super Ducks – Duke Energy, Fred’s Towing & Transport, Union Bank and Mako Medical Laboratories

Top Ducks – NC Pediatrics, Chick-fil-A and University Dental Associates – Dr. Charles Burnham

Feathered Friends – Rogers Group, McDonalds, Sugar & Spice Preschool, Scotts Trucking Company and Wester Insurance Agency

Quacker Backers – WIZS Radio, Greystone Concrete Products, City of Henderson and Dataforge

All proceeds from the Ducky Derby are used to fund Smart Start programs.

Those interested in purchasing tickets, volunteering at the event or with questions may contact the F-G-V Smart Start office at (252) 433-9110 or visit the NC Smart Start website at www.ncsmartstart.org.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

U.S. Department of Justice

Henderson Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Distributing Fentanyl Resulting in Death

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that yesterday in federal court, Senior United States District Judge W. Earl Britt sentenced QYDARIUS J. SMALL, a/k/a “Q” and “Peanut,” 20, from Henderson, North Carolina, to 144 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

On January 10, 2018, SMALL, was named in a three-count Superseding Indictment returned by a grand jury sitting in the Eastern District of North Carolina. The indictment charged Small with Distribution and Possession With Intent to Distribute a Quantity of a Mixture and Substance Containing Fentanyl, Causing Serious Bodily Injury or Death on August 28 and 29, 2017. On March 23, 2018, pursuant to a written plea agreement, SMALL pled guilty to distributing and possessing with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing Fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, which resulted in the death of an individual.

On August 30, 2017, officers of the Henderson (North Carolina) Police Department responded to a report of a drug overdose at a residence. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found a deceased individual along with a hypodermic needle, multiple bindles of heroin, and a bindle of heroin uniquely labeled with a green stamp of the word “Thor.” The investigation revealed that the deceased was the victim of an overdose of heroin containing Fentanyl, and the drugs had been purchased from SMALL. A search of the victim’s cell phone revealed multiple text messages between the victim and SMALL discussing drug transactions and specifically a drug with a “Thor [e] green stamp.”

Later that same day, officers of the Henderson Police Department used the victim’s cell phone to arrange for a controlled purchase of heroin from SMALL. As SMALL drove to the prearranged sale location with the intent to sell heroin to the deceased victim, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop. During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement found heroin stamped in green with the word “Thor” and a loaded handgun. SMALL was placed under arrest and taken to the Henderson Police Department.

United States Attorney Higdon commented, “Qydarius J. Small has been an active part in the opioid crisis and deaths that are tearing apart our country and destroying good communities like Henderson and Vance County, North Carolina. But now, with the imposition of a 144-month sentence, the people of Henderson can begin to recover from the horrible effects of Small’s actions. The Court’s sentence gives these communities that opportunity and we are very pleased that the United States Justice Department could play a role in achieving that result. I commend the Henderson Police Department for their excellent work in this case and bringing this man to justice.”

The case is a federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) criminal matter and was investigated by the Henderson Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Edward Gray prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

This case was prosecuted federally as part of the United States Department of Justice’s Opioid Initiative and the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Implemented in March 2018, the Take Back North Carolina Initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with local, state and federal law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement. The initiative targets those organizations and individuals who are responsible for increasing violent crime rates and drug trafficking – quickly routing the cases to federal court when prosecution in that venue would deliver the most significant impact.

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

Henderson Vance Recreation & Parks

Youth Fall Soccer & Volleyball Registration Extended Until Sat., Sept. 8

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

The Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department announces a registration extension until Saturday, September 8, 2018, for youth interested in fall soccer or volleyball.

Soccer ages are 4 -14 and volleyball ages are 7-14.

Registration fee is $40

For more information, please contact Steve Osborne at (252) 438-2670 or sosborne@ci.henderson.nc.us or Victor Hunt at (252) 438-3408 or vhunt@ci.henderson.nc.us

VGCC Pins 15 Practical Nursing Graduates

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 -Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Fifteen Practical Nursing graduates were honored for their completion of the one-year program at Vance-Granville Community College during a pinning ceremony on July 25 in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus.

Upon receiving their diplomas, the graduates are now eligible to sit for the national exam for licensed practical nurses (NCLEX-PN).

Among the Practical Nursing graduates recognized at the ceremony were Reuben Aluoch of Raleigh, Eunice Ayaa of Creedmoor, Christopher Ellis of Wake Forest, Nikitra Hall of Wake Forest, Jason Hurley of Youngsville, Rumana Ibrahim of Raleigh, Cassidy Ivey of Henderson, Tiffany Lemay of Warrenton, Eric Luckenbaugh of Durham, Charles Ngeve of Durham, Joyce Nyaanga of Morrisville, Rose Nyagaka of Raleigh, Wyverta Rawls of Raleigh, Cherrie Satterfield of Rougemont, and Youlanda Simpson of Durham.

Welcoming remarks were offered by Dr. Levy Brown, VGCC’s vice president of academic affairs; Erica Jastrow, the college’s chair of the Nursing Department; and Eunice Ayaa, president of the Practical Nursing Class of 2018.

Above: Graduates honored at the VGCC Practical Nursing pinning ceremony included, first (front) row, from left: Cassidy Ivey, Tiffany Lemay, Joyce Nyaanga and Nikitra Hall; second row, from left: Cherrie Satterfield, Eric Luckenbaugh, Wyverta Rawls; third row, from left: Christopher Ellis, Jason Hurley, Eunice Ayaa, Reuben Alouch, Youlanda Simpson and Charles Ngeve. (VGCC photo)

“Our Nursing program goes all the way back to 1970, almost to the founding of this great institution of which will celebrate 50 years of existence next year,” said Dr. Brown. “Now we are proud to add to that history the Practical Nursing Class of 2018, a diverse group of students from several towns in our region.” While many members of the class have chosen specific nursing specialties for their careers, many also plan to continue their education, he said.  He encouraged the graduates to “aspire, accelerate and achieve in every walk of life.”

“With success comes great responsibility,” Jastrow noted in her remarks. “These students will have the responsibility of preparing for a challenging licensing exam. So if they tell you they still have to study, they really are telling you the truth…. I also hope they will take the opportunity to share their success so that others might be inspired to take the same journey they did.”

Ayaa, the class president, offered thanks to the instructors both at VGCC and in the clinical sites where the students received on-the-job experience. “You all have taught us what will help our patients the most,” she said.

“To our family and friends, thank you for listening to us,” she said. “Thank you for letting us perform skills on you. Thank you for lending us money. I hope we will pay them back!” she added, to laughter from the room. “Thank you for helping us accomplish our dreams. We could not have done it without you — not forgetting the North Carolina taxpayers and our donors. Thank you for your generosity, for the scholarships and the financial aid we received when we could no longer work and pay for our tuition. We are so grateful.”

Heather Wilson, Nursing instructor and SimLab Coordinator, shared the story of the distinctive Nursing Pin which was awarded to each student by Jastrow during the ceremony. During the pinning, biographies were read by Kathy Bray, nursing instructor, and Vanessa Ramseur, nursing instructor, presented lamps to the graduates. The story of the lamp was shared by Patsy Pegram, nursing instructor, and the lighting of the lamps was initiated by Brande McIlroy, nursing instructor, while Crystal Senter, nursing instructor, led the Nursing Pledge.

More photos: Check out VGCC’s album on Flickr!

H-V Chamber Logo

Tickets On Sale NOW for Chamber’s Third Annual Reverse Raffle

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-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce’s “Focus” Newsletter – July/August 2018

The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce along with the Henderson Police Department (HPD) and the Vance County Sheriff ’s Department are partnering again to host the third annual reverse raffle.

This annual event benefits a program serving local underprivileged children called “Shop With a Cop” along with the Chamber of Commerce and its efforts to help local business. The event is scheduled for Saturday, November 10, 2018, and will be held at Henderson Country Club beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and include dinner for two, a chance at the $5,000 grand prize and a dance at the completion of the raffle. Throughout the evening, guests will be given opportunities to bid on various silent auction items as well as two reserved tickets which will be auctioned toward the end of the ticket drawing. Three reserved tickets will also be raffled during the course of the evening.

The “Shop With a Cop” activity will take place in December at which time members of the HPD and Sheriff ’s Department will take local underprivileged children shopping with local retailers for Christmas. A certain dollar amount of the proceeds raised will be set aside for each participating child. There has been a great turnout for the past two years and we are expecting no less this year. “This fundraiser allows us to do a lot of good for the local community with the proceeds and the HPD and Sheriff ’s office are always anxious to do what we can to help local children”, said Police Chief Marcus Barrow.

There are opportunities for local businesses to donate silent auction items, sponsor the event or help in other ways. Members of the HPD, Vance County Sheriff ’s Department and Chamber staff and board of directors will be making community contacts in the very near future.

If you or your business would like to purchase tickets, donate items or get more information, contact the HPD, Vance County Sheriff ’s Department or the Chamber office at 252-438-8414.

Registration Underway for Henderson-Vance Rec. & Parks’ Youth Cheerleading

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

Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks announces that youth cheerleading registration is ongoing now through Friday, September 7, 2018. Register at Aycock Recreation Center, 307 Carey Chapel Road, Henderson. Registration fee is $40; $30 for those that played softball in 2018.

This program is designed for youth ages 6 – 14. The participants will learn the basic skills and fundamentals of cheering. They will be assigned coaches through the Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department. Participants will practice cheering two to three times a week at the Old Aycock Park.

Cheerleaders will have the opportunity to cheer at youth football games for the Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks’ youth football programs. Home games will be played at Vance County High School.

For additional information, please contact either:

Steve Osborne – sosborne@ci.henderson.nc.us or (252) 438-2670

Victor Hunt – vhunt@ci.henderson.nc.us or (252) 438-3408