Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

VGCC to host free Dementia Awareness programs

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Vance-Granville Community College will soon host a pair of free programs for the public to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia. These educational programs are being facilitated by the Alzheimer’s Association Eastern North Carolina Chapter.

Both events are set to be held on Tuesday, March 21, in the Civic Center on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County (located at exit 209 on Interstate 85). First, “The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease” will be offered from 10-11 a.m. “Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors” follows from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The first workshop is designed for anyone who would like to know more about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, which are not a normal part of aging.

The second workshop focuses specifically on behavior, one of the primary ways for people with dementia to communicate their needs and feelings as their ability to use language deteriorates. Some behaviors can present challenges for caregivers to manage. Attendees will learn to “decode” behaviors, identify common behavior triggers and learn strategies to help intervene with some of the most common behavioral challenges of Alzheimer’s disease.

VGCC Dean of Health Sciences Angela Thomas and Human Services Technology (HST) program head Tracy Wallace have collaborated with the Raleigh-based Alzheimer’s Association chapter to bring these programs to campus. The HST program, accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education, is based at VGCC’s South Campus between Creedmoor and Butner. The curriculum prepares students for entry-level positions in institutions and agencies which provide social, community, and educational services. In addition to a general HST track and a Substance Abuse track, VGCC offers a Gerontology track, which prepares students to specialize in direct service delivery work to older adults and their families.

To register for one or both of the free March 21 programs, visit bit.ly/2lyqCIp for the first and bit.ly/2lrBB9V for the second, or call 1-800-272-3900.

For more information, contact the Alzheimer’s Association Eastern North Carolina Chapter at 919-803-8285 or Tracy Wallace at (252) 738-3519.

–VGCC–

Kerr-Vance Academy Announces VSWCD Poster Winners

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The VSWCD poster winners from Kerr-Vance Academy are Kaitlyn Painter, Landon Cottrell, and Trent Edwards.

Henderson Lions Club Announces Next Meeting

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Thursday, March 23, 2017

Henderson Lions – The Henderson Lions will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Henderson Country Club.  The speaker will be Lion Bill Graham from Leader Dog.  To learn more or join the Lions and be part of an active community service organization, contact any Lions Club member or President Randy Oxendine at 252-438-8034.

Thanks,

Randy

Breaking News: Charges dismissed against Mayor Eddie Ellington

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Press Release

Henderson, NC– On November 6, 2016 officers with the Henderson Police Department were called to investigate a report of domestic violence alleged to have occurred at the home of Mayor Eddie Ellington. When the responding officer arrived on scene he called his supervisor. Officers on scene spoke with Cheri Wheeler Ellington. After observing no evidence of physical abuse, officers advised Mrs. Ellington about the procedure for securing warrants if she so desired.

On November 8, 2016, warrants were issued charging Edward H. Ellington with assault on a female and communicating threats.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Ellington, after consultation with their respective civil attorneys, have requested that the charges against Edward. H. Ellington be dismissed.

Attempts to speak with Mrs. Ellington went unanswered.  However, after consultation with Cheri Wheeler Ellington’s civil attorney, District Attorney Michael D. Waters’ office has decided to not prosecute Mr. Ellington.

The decision reflects the desires of the parties and the police reports which indicated a lack of physical abuse.

Michael Waters

Vance Charter School to hold 8th Grade Parent Meeting

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A meeting will be held on Thursday, March 2nd at 6:00 p.m. in the Lower Café. This meeting is for current 8th graders and their parents at Vance Charter School. Mary Mangum will be discussing course registration for high school.

 

Please contact Mary Mangum with any questions concerning this meeting and the HS Registration process.

 

Mary Mangum

School Counselor

mangumm@vancecharter.org

Rhythmic Circus’ To Test Stage Of McGregor Hall On March 11

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HENDERSON, N.C. (February 24, 2017)—Since opening one year ago, the stage at McGregor Hall Performing Arts & Learning Center in Henderson, N.C., has opened its curtains to a broad array of acts from Grammy-winning recording artist to local community plays. But, on March 11th at 8:00 p.m., the theater will host Feet Don’t Fail Me Now!, a high-energy showcase that includes some of the countries fastest tap dancers.

Will the stage floor, which was built above a special rubber padding in order to support high-impacts, be able to handle this stomping? Folks of all ages are encouraged to find out for themselves as Rhythmic Circus puts the stage floor of McGregor Hall to the test.

Rhythmic Circus is made up of a seven-piece funk band, a beatboxer, and four incredibly talented tap dancers, according to McGregor Hall Executive Director Tommy Deadwyler. “Their show, Feet Don’t Fail Me Now!, is a joyous parade of genre-hopping music and hard-hitting percussive dance. With catchy original songs and bright, colorful costumes, Feet Don’t Fail Me Now! will have the whole family tapping their toes.” Deadwyler noted that the performance is especially entertaining for all ages and relevant for dance enthusiasts.

Those aspiring dancers throughout the region will have an opportunity to meet the performers of Rhythmic Circus in person, according to Deadwyler, who is offering special student discounts with “meet and greet” passes as well as group discounts to dance studios and other assemblies of 10 or more.  “This is a special occasion for local dance enthusiasts in our area to network with professional, touring dancers and learn more about their talents and their craft.”

Rhythmic Circus will perform Feet Don’t Fail Me Now! at McGregor Hall Performing Arts and Learning Center on March 11th at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale at www.McGregorHall.org, by calling (252) 598-0662 or by visiting the Box Office at 201 Breckenridge Street in Henderson, N.C. For more information, including group rates and student discounts, contact McGregor Hall’s Executive Director Tommy Deadwyler at (252) 598-0662 or email him at tommydeadwyler@mcgregorhall.org.

Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers Approve New Text-a-Tip Program

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Henderson, NC – Henderson and Vance County Residents will now be able to text the Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers along with the traditional phone in method to report crime.

Kevin Bullock, the president of the Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers said, “We’re still in the early stages of setting up our local Text-a-Tip program, but once completed, the Text-a-Tip will allow anyone with a cellphone to not only call 252-492-1925, but text in a crime they witness as well. Other Crime Stopper groups across North Carolina are using this technology with great success to reach younger audiences.”

The program will be ready to go later in the year.

Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow said, “Text-a-Tip will put us in contact with a new generation and also give others another simplistic way of reporting criminal activity anonymously.”

If anyone should have any information related to a case, they are encouraged to call the Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925. Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $2,000 for information that may lead to an arrest. Callers may remain anonymous.

2017 Betsy Jeff Penn 4-H Summer Camp Announcement

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It’s that time of the year again. For 100 years, 4-H summer camp has been a life-changing experience, offering campers a greater chance to learn, develop life skills and form attitudes that will help them to become self-directed, productive members of society.

Youth interact with people of different cultures and backgrounds, increasing interdependence, understanding and appreciation of others.  It may be their first experience being an equal member of a community.  Campers are exposed to professionals and role models who may lead career discussions.

Less focus is on competition and failure; more emphasis is on group cooperation and shared success.  Adventures, new experiences and skills learned in an outdoor environment at camp contribute to a positive sense of self.

Youth do not have to be in a 4-H club to participate.

Deadline to apply is March 31st.

Cost of camp is $100.00.  A deposit of $75.00 will hold your space.

Apply in person with Turner Pride, 4-H Youth Development Agent, 305 Young Street, Henderson, NC.

Call the Vance County Center of NC Cooperative Extension at 252-438-8188 or email turner_pride@ncsu.edu for more information.

North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran’s status.  In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation.  North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U. S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.

Multiple Trials Resolved in Vance County – Office of the DA

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Henderson, NC – Jurors in Vance County Superior Court found Antwon Burt guilty of Battery on an Unborn Child and Simple Assault after hearing one day of testimony. Officers with the Henderson Police Department testified about their 2016 investigation of the defendant. Mr. Burt was sentenced to 210 days in the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Division of Adult Correction (DAC). That sentence was suspended for 18 months of supervised probation by Judge Henry W. Hight, Jr. Mr. Burt was represented by Deborah Leigh Holtzman and Adam Mincher.

In the second jury trial of the week long session of Superior Court in Vance County, Melvin McDonald was found guilty by a Vance County jury of Resisting a Public Officer and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. Judge Hight sentenced McDonald to an active sentence of 17 to 30 months in the DAC. McDonald was on probation at the time he was charged by officers with the Henderson Police Department. Judge Hight revoked McDonald’s probationary sentence as well. The defendant was represented by Scott Hamilton.

Maurice Manning plead guilty to Assault Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury. Judge Hight sentenced Manning to a 16 to 29 month sentence that was suspended for 24 months of supervised probation to begin after the defendant had served a portion of his sentence in jail. Detective B. Logue with the Henderson Police Department investigated the case. Mr. Manning was represented by Nick Bagshawe.

Peter Lagattuta plead guilty to Felony Possession of Cocaine. Judge Hight sentenced Lagattuta to a 6 to 17 month sentence that was suspended for 18 months of supervised probation. Officer J. Henderson with the Henderson Police Department charged the defendant. Mr. Lagattuta was represented by J. Paul Stainback.

Arthur Henderson was found guilty of Driving While Impaired and Carrying a Concealed Gun after entering a plea of no contest. Mr. Henderson was given a 60 day sentence that was suspended for 12 months of supervised probation in each of his cases. B. Yarborough who was formerly with the Henderson Police Department charged Mr. Henderson with the gun charge, while Trooper J. Harrah with the NC State Highway Patrol charged Mr. Henderson with Driving While Impaired. The defendant was represented by Michael F. Rogers.

Jonathan Dailey plead guilty to Assault on a Female and was given a 75 day sentence that was suspended for 18 months of supervised probation. J. Aiken with the Vance County Sheriffs Office was the complainant. Defendant was represented by Deborah Leigh Holtzman.

Stanley Bullock, Jr. plead guilty to misdemeanor breaking and entering and misdemeanor larceny. Mr. Bullock was given a 45 day sentence that was suspended for 18 months of supervised probation by Judge Hight. Detective J. Jones with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. The defendant was represented by Dorothy Lewis.

Vance County Schools Empowerment Academy Students create local garden

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Administrators and students at the Vance County Schools Empowerment Academy have created a garden outside of the facility’s main entrance with funding from a special grant program.

The grant funding, totaling about $170, came from the Karma for Cara Foundation which funds youth volunteer projects.

Brian Schlessinger, a teacher at the Empowerment Academy, led efforts to apply for the grant and create the garden. He worked with his students and administrators at the academy to seek the grant funding and follow through on building the garden that is beside the facility’s main entrance.

The garden was completed by early February after students and their teachers worked to prepare the soil, install landscaping timbers for borders for the garden and had soil brought in to fill the space. They then worked to plant tulip bulbs, two evergreen shrubs and a cedar tree in the garden. Schlessinger and students are shown in the first two photos as they work on the garden.

Antavius Turner, a seventh grader who was attending the Empowerment Academy and is now a student at Eaton-Johnson Middle School, was one of the students involved in the project. Turner is shown with Schlessinger in the third photo as they work online to complete paperwork for the grant funding.

“Building the garden was a really good experience,” Turner said. “All of us in the academy worked together to get it done. We wanted to give the area outside the building life and make it look nice. We really like how it turned out and I think the project helped to show when you give us another chance we can do good things.”

The four female students and 10 male students who attend the Empowerment Academy are all on long-term suspension from their home schools because of behavior issues. Girls attend classes at the academy in the mornings and the boys attend their classes in the afternoons each day. Schlessinger and other teachers, along with Dr. Ralphel Holloman, coordinator of the academy, work with the students in online course work as well as teacher led math and language arts classes on a daily basis. Turner spent the first semester of this school year in the Empowerment Academy. He was able to return to Eaton-Johnson for the beginning of the second semester in late January after he completed necessary course work and met attendance and behavior requirements.

“All of the Empowerment students pitched in to help with the garden project,” Schlessinger said. “It made them feel good to have a role in creating it. We hope to do more with the garden at a later time and continue to improve the appearance of the areas outside of the building.”

Schlessinger pointed out that the funding from the Karma for Cara Foundation was a perfect fit for the academy’s project. The foundation was established in memory of Cara Becker, who lived in Maryland and at the age of 21 was diagnosed with leukemia. She battled the disease for four months, but died of complications from her treatments in December of 2012. Her family has carried on her legacy through the foundation. Becker throughout most of her short life was involved in volunteer work and community service. She had a special interest in helping children who were experiencing tough times and promoted community involvement with those her age and beyond. The foundation regularly awards small grants for community projects involving youth groups and also recognizes the efforts