Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Sheriff Peter White Offers Holiday Shopping Safety Tips

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The holiday season is here and shoppers are crowding malls and discount stores to buy the latest gadgets and find the best deals.

But what shoppers are neglecting is their safety. According to Sheriff White, this time of year attracts more shopping-related criminal activity because of larger crowds and extended store hours. These factors, and the unusual distraction of shopping, creates a more favorable environment for petty thieves and other offenders.

The Sheriff reminds all Vance County residents to follow these safety tips:

Shopping Safety

  • A single shopper is the best target for theft. Always shop with a friend or relative.
  • When going shopping, tell someone where you are going and what time to expect you to return. Also, make sure they know what you are wearing, as well as the type of vehicle you are driving.
  • Shop during daylight hours. If you shop at night, park your vehicle in a well-lit area.
  • Dress casually and comfortably and avoid wearing expensive jewelry. If carrying cash, keep it in your front pocket rather than your purse or wallet. This makes it much more difficult for a pick-pocket to remove. Also store car keys in a pants or jacket pocket. If your purse is stolen, you will still be able to drive.
  • Pay careful attention to your surroundings and avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.
  • When returning to your vehicle, check around it and in the back seat. Be aware of strangers approaching you for any reason. Have your keys in your hand to avoid spending unnecessary time unprotected from the security of your vehicle.
  • If you feel uneasy returning to your vehicle alone, find a security guard and ask them to walk you to your car.

According to Sheriff White, during this time of year, busy holiday shoppers become careless and vulnerable to other crimes as well. Credit card fraud and gift card fraud are on the rise. However, taking a few preventive measures can help.

Credit Card Fraud

  • Keep a close watch on your credit card every time you use it, and make sure you get it back as quickly as possible.
  • Never write your pin number on your credit card.
  • Never leave your credit card receipts lying around.
  • Shield your credit card number so that others around you can’t copy it or capture it on a mobile phone or other camera.
  • Only carry credit cards that you absolutely need.
  • Shred anything with your credit card number on it.
  • If you’re planning to purchase online, make sure the web page where you enter your credit card information is secure through SSL (Secure Socket Layer). You can tell if the web page is secure by looking for the gold lock or key icon at the bottom corner of your browser window.
  • If you’re not comfortable submitting your information through the internet, call the seller and give them your information over the phone. Never send your credit card information via email.
  • Check the company out. Only do business with companies that provide a physical address and phone number.
  • Lastly, keep good records. Always print out a copy of any online products or services you purchase.

For more information contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at 252-738-2200.

 

VGCC offers seminar on starting a new business in the New Year

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The Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center is offering a free seminar for local residents whose New Year’s resolutions include starting a small business.

“So You Think You Want to Start a Business” is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, from 6 until 9 p.m., in room 7109 (Building 7) on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County.

The seminar, led by instructor Bob Moore, is designed for individuals who are thinking about starting and operating their own business but wonder if they have the personality, drive, creativity, adaptability, and other talents or attributes that are associated with successful entrepreneurs.

During this seminar, attendees will honestly assess themselves in order to discover their strengths and weaknesses. The seminar will also incorporate various exercises and role-playing activities that illustrate realistic challenges encountered by entrepreneurs. Attendees will be given the opportunity to present their business ideas, and they will be shown various ways to determine if the idea is feasible and viable. After attending this seminar, if an attendee makes the decision to move forward, they will be strongly encouraged to register for seminars offered by the VGCC Small Business Center.

A graduate of Fayetteville State University, Bob Moore is a longtime small business owner and serves as director of the Small Business Center at Robeson Community College in Lumberton. He was honored as the Small Business Center Director of the Year for the entire North Carolina Community College System in 2013.

For more information and to reserve a seat in this free seminar, contact Small Business Center director Tanya Weary at smallbusiness@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3240.

Registration can be completed online at www.vgcc.edu/schedules/small-business-center.

Kerr Vance Academy Holds Annual Grandparent’s Day Program

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On Tuesday, November 22, Kerr Vance Academy held its annual Grandparent’s Day Program.  The event began with a prelude – students playing selected songs on piano, followed by the KVA Junior Band performing “The Nutcracker”.

The program also included student speakers, a special video celebrating grandparents, and songs by students in the Lower School.

The KVA Show Choir concluded with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”.

The program was organized and directed by music teacher, Ms. Valerie Montjoy.

Vance County Students Receive Honorable Mentions from NC School Boards Association

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Students in Vance County Schools were recognized with Honorable Mention awards for work submitted in competitions at the 47th Annual N.C. School Boards Association Conference in Greensboro, November 16-18.

Southern Vance High School students, under the direction of Career and Technical Education teacher Angela Cusaac, earned Honorable Mention for their video entry “What’s Super About Public Schools” in the high school video competition.

The 30 to 45-second video depicted various scenes of students and staff members at Southern Vance and promoted the diversity and achievements of the school.

Daniela Gomez Gervacio, Elizabeth Black and Amelia Ramirez, all fourth graders at Aycock Elementary School, received Honorable Mention in the elementary poster competition. Each of their colorful posters followed the theme “What’s Super About Public Schools” and illustrated programs and activities in their school. They are shown from left in the accompanying photo holding their posters.

The Southern Vance and Aycock students will be recognized during the Vance County Board of Education meeting on Monday, December 12.

 

Clementine “Tina” Hunter sworn in as member of the Vance County Board of Education

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Newly elected member of the Vance County Board of Education, Clementine “Tina” Hunter, joined fellow board members Dorothy Gooche and Ed Wilson in being administered the oath of office this morning by the Honorable Judge Henry Banks.

They took the oath of office in the Board Room of the Vance County Schools Administrative Services Center in Henderson.

Hunter has been elected to her first four-year term on the Board of Education. Both Gooche and Wilson were re-elected to their positions on the board.

Hunter is replacing Emeron J. Cash Sr. on the board. Cash is retiring from the board and did not seek re-election.

They will participate in their first board meeting of their new terms on Monday, December 12.

They were joined after the oath ceremony for a group photo by Superintendent Anthony Jackson and Board Chairwoman Gloria J. White, along with Judge Banks.

VGCC Work-Based Learning program partners with Wake Public Defender’s office

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Students in the Criminal Justice Technology and Paralegal Technology programs at Vance-Granville Community College recently heard from a guest speaker, who spoke about his work in the justice system and about opportunities to jump-start their own careers while they are still students.

The speaker was Juan C. Bais, chief investigator for the Public Defender’s Office in North Carolina Judicial District 10 (Wake County), who has formed a new partnership with VGCC to offer Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities in his office.

WBL allows a student to gain relevant experience with an employer, while also earning academic credit that counts toward a degree. Many VGCC programs include WBL courses, either as a requirement or as an elective, as in the case of Criminal Justice Technology. WBL plays a role in VGCC’s five-year “Quality Enhancement Plan” (QEP) called “Advising in 3D: Dream, Design, Discover,” which is focused in part on improved career planning for students.

Bais learned about the program through his fellow investigator in the Public Defender’s Office, Gregory Porterfield, a former VGCC Paralegal Technology student. Both Bais and Porterfield are also former Raleigh Police Department officers. In his current position, Bais said his job is “to get the facts to help the attorneys in the public defender’s office, because when a defendant is appointed an attorney, the attorney may not have all the information they need.”

In order to help handle a large workload on a tight budget, District 10 Public Defender Charles F. Caldwell agreed to allow Bais to recruit a VGCC student to join their team through the WBL program. “It’s a win-win, for us and for the student, who will be getting credit,” Bais said. “I’m looking for a student who’s willing to work hard. I want them to work alongside me, see how it’s done and then do the work under my supervision, so they get real investigative experience that they can put on a resume.”

Bais added, “from what I hear, you are getting great preparation for the workforce at VGCC, and Work-Based Learning is a great opportunity for you.” His general advice to students in the criminal justice field is “to develop people skills, be dedicated and document everything.”

Porterfield also addressed the students, explaining that his office’s mission “is to make sure people are treated fairly, and that innocent people don’t go to jail…You have to be open-minded and not assume guilt or innocence in this line of work. I love to figure things out and put the puzzle pieces together.” He said that students going into law enforcement should always “go the extra mile” and “ask the additional question” so that their work holds up in court.

“Work-Based Learning offers our students work experience that connects directly to their majors,” according to Antoinette Dickens, who coordinates WBL while also heading up the Paralegal Technology program. “A Work-Based Learning experience is not only something that builds a student’s resume and skills, but it also often leads to a job after graduation. There’s nothing like that hands-on experience.”

For more information on Work-Based Learning at VGCC, contact Antoinette Dickens at dickensa@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3609.

Shooting reported on East Andrews Avenue in Henderson

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On November 24, 2016 at approximately 1:12 AM officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to 614 E. Andrews Ave in reference to property damage to a residence. Upon arrival, officers found that a bullet had traveled through the front door of the residence. Officers also learned that the shooting that took place was between an unknown male subject standing in front of the residence and subjects in the parking lot of 517 E. Andrews Ave. (Quick Stop). There were no reports of physical injury to the occupants of the residence.

The investigation is being conducted by members of the Henderson Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division. If anyone should have any information related to this case, they are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141. Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $2,000 for information that may lead to an arrest. Callers may remain anonymous.

Vehicle B&E Reported at Time Warner Cable in Downtown Henderson

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On November 28, 2016 at approximately 10:00 AM officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to 215 Young St, Henderson (Time Warner Cable) in reference to a vehicle breaking and entering. Upon arrival, officers spoke with an employee who stated that sometime during the weekend someone broke into and entered one of their company vehicles (2008 Ford Escape). The reporting party advised that nothing appeared to have been taken.

The investigation is being conducted by members of the Henderson Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division. If anyone should have any information related to this case, they are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141. Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $2,000 for information that may lead to an arrest. Callers may remain anonymous.

FGV Smart Start Announces New Executive Director

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FGV Smart Start, Inc., has announced that Dr. Tony Cozart will be the new executive director.

Dr. Cozart is a retired educator, with over 32 years in the local public school systems. He began his career as a teacher and assistant principal in Vance County, then served in Warren County as principal at Norlina Middle, South Warren Elementary and Warren County High schools, among other administrative positions. He is the pastor of Cooks Chapel Baptist Church in Warrenton, and also serves on the Granville County Board of Commissioners.

Cozart is married to the former Jacqueline Peace. They have three daughters: Kimberly, Kristal, and Karmen. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Saint Paul’s College, Master of Arts in School Administration from North Carolina Central University, and Doctor of Education from Nova Southeastern University.

Dr. Cozart has been the Kindergarten Readiness coordinator at FGV Smart Start the last two years. He began his duties as the executive director on November 16.

Vance County Schools opens Family Resource Center

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A grand opening was held during the evening on November 14 to officially open the Vance County Schools Family Resource Center in the Administrative Services Center on Graham Avenue in Henderson.

Parents, students, school system officials and community residents attended the event.

Superintendent Anthony Jackson and Vance County Board of Education Chairwoman Gloria J. White led the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new center.

Cassandra Evans, director of Federal Programs and Parent Engagement for the school system, led a committee made up of parents representing several local schools in planning the Family Resource Center.

The center will now be available for parents and other family members of students in Vance County Schools to visit during school days to take advantage of educational written materials and a vast range of online educational resources. The Family Resource Center includes a large volume of materials detailing the services and programs available to students and their families in the local public school system, as well as information on future educational and career opportunities beyond high school.

Plans calls for additional resources to be added to the center on a regular basis.