Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Vance County Schools Adds Two To District Leadership Roles

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Vance County Schools has added to its leadership staff with the recent hiring of a Career and Technical Education director as well as a Safety Coordinator.

Dr. Aretha Garr is the new CTE director, according to information from VCS spokesperson Aarika Sandlin. Milton Thomas is the district’s new safety coordinator.

Garr brings to her new role at VCS more than two decades of experience of guiding students towards fulfilling and successful careers. She most recently was career development coordinator and principal designee at the Academy at Smith’s Signature Career Academy of Biomedical Sciences in Guilford County.

She also was CTE Department Chair at Parkland IB Magnet High School and Carver High School, both in Winston-Salem.

“I am excited to work towards increasing program enrollment and retention, and forging powerful community partnerships to ensure students have all the tools they need to make informed career decisions,” Garr said in a press statement.

Garr has Bachelor of Business Administration from High Point University, a Master of Healthcare Administration from Pfeiffer University and the School Administrator credential through the Master of School Administration Licensure Program at N.C. A&T State University. She graduated with an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from High Point University.

As the VCS Safety Coordinator, Thomas brings vast experience in the areas of security, investigations and emergency management to his new role. With more than 30 years’ experience in the field, Thomas has been a Marine MP, criminal investigator and drill instructor, as well as additional experience as a law enforcement officer and  For the last 18 years of his time with the USMC, he was a Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Defense Officer. In this role, Thomas focused on emergency and consequence management. Upon retirement from the service, Thomas joined Vance County Schools at Clarke Elementary as the Media and Technology Assistant.

Thomas earned his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and his Master of Science in Performance Improvement from the University of Arkansas Grantham.

Maria Parham Steps Up Visitor Restrictions To Combat Spread Of Respiratory Viruses

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Maria Parham Health has announced additional restrictions are being implemented for hospital visitors, effective immediately, in response to an elevated level of respiratory virus and illness.

These restrictions were put in place to protect the health and safety of patients and employees, according to information released by the hospital earlier Wednesday.

At this time, the use of face masks is optional, but highly encouraged by all visitors. Masks remain a simple, yet effective, tool to prevent respiratory viral transmission.

Hospital officials note that the Charge Nurse or House Supervisor has discretion to waive these restrictions outside normal visiting hours. These decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis; specific situations – such as end-of-life care or critically ill patients – are two such examples where discretion could be used.

The measures in place now include:

  • Children under 18 are discouraged from visiting
  • Adult visitors and family members should be limited to next of kin and close contacts.
  • Only two visitors will be allowed at a time. There may be times when 1 or no visitors will be allowed into the Emergency Department
  • Visitors who do not feel well are asked not to visit
  • Use proper cough etiquette (covering cough with tissue or arm, disposing of tissue immediately then cleaning hands)
  • Perform hand hygiene before and after visiting

Visit https://www.mariaparham.com/visiting-hours.

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Vance County Names Sherry Moss New Planning Director

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Vance County has named Sherry Moss as its new planning director. Moss, currently the planning director for the town of Nashville, NC, will begin her new job on Feb. 12.

Moss is no stranger to the area, having held positions in county government in Vance and Granville counties, as well as the city of Henderson.

She has been Vance County’s interim planning director and special projects coordinator, and has more than 17 years of experience in local government, according to information from Vance County Manager Renee Perry.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to be back to serve the citizens of Vance County,” Moss said in a press statement.

Moss has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Shaw University and a master’s in public policy: public administration from Liberty University.

Perry said she welcomes Moss back to Vance County. “I’m looking forward to working with Sherry in this new role; Sherry is a breath of fresh air and will serve the county well,” sPerry said.

Donate Blood In January And You May Win Tickets To Super Bowl LVIII

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 – Information courtesy of the American Red Cross of North Carolina

The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. The Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels across the country, and blood and platelet donors are urged to make a donation appointment to help alleviate the shortage and help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not put on hold.

And anyone who comes in to give blood or platelets in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII.

The Red Cross and the NFL have partnered during Januaray – designated as National Blood Donor Month – to urge individuals to give blood or platelets and help tackle the emergency blood shortage. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Super Bowl.

Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40 percent. When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations – such as the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations the Red Cross experienced between Christmas and New Year’s Day alone – can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Blood products are currently going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in, and in recent weeks, the Red Cross has had to limit distributions of type O blood products – among the most transfused blood types – to hospitals.

“Small changes in blood donor turnout can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of an emergency blood transfusion,” said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. “More challenges may lie ahead as the potential for severe winter weather and seasonal illness may compound the dire blood supply situation. Donors of all types – especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets – are urged to give now.”

Don’t wait – to make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Following is a list of upcoming blood donations in Vance, Granville and Warren counties:

Henderson

  • Friday, Jan. 19: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Maria Parham Health, 566 Ruin Creek Rd.
  • Thursday, Jan. 25: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Raleigh Road Baptist Church, 3892 Raleigh Rd.
  • Friday, Jan. 26: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Vance Charter School Henderson, 2090 Ross Mill Rd.

Oxford

  • Wednesday, Jan. 17: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. J.F. Webb High School, 3200 Webb School Rd.

Creedmoor

  • Friday, Jan. 26: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Creedmoor United Methodist Church, 214 Park Ave.

Norlina

  • Wednesday, Jan. 24: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 438 Ridgeway Drewry Rd.

Stein Visit Cancelled Today; Organizers Hope To Reschedule

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N.C. gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein’s scheduled visit to Henderson this afternoon has been postponed because of the threat of severe weather forecast for later today.

Vance County Democratic Chairperson Angela Thornton told WIZS News earlier Tuesday.

“We look forward to coordinating with his campaign for a rescheduled date,” Thornton said in a written statement to WIZS.

Stein is the current state attorney general.

 

Henderson Man Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison On Drugs, Weapons Charges

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-information courtesy of the office of Eastern District of North Carolina U.S. Attorney Michael Easley

A Henderson man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for trafficking fentanyl and possession of firearms, including a firearm loaded with a large capacity magazine, and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina praised the efforts of local police for their help in the case.

Tyrik Pettaway, 21, pled guilty in July 2023 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin and fentanyl and possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin and fentanyl, according to information released Monday by the Eastern District office of U.S. Attorney Michael Easley.

“The unwavering dedication and relentless efforts of the Henderson Police Department have been instrumental in upholding justice and ensuring the safety of our community,” Easley said in the press statement. “Their exemplary commitment to teamwork among state and federal law enforcement is commendable and emboldens public trust in our justice system.”

“Our collaboration with the Eastern District of North Carolina U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to benefit our community,” commented Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow. “The efforts of all involved are evident. I am hopeful this sentence gives pause to those in our community walking a similar path.”

 

According to court documents and other information presented in court, after receiving multiple reports that Pettaway and Neno King were dealing drugs, law enforcement conducted multiple controlled purchases of suspected heroin containing fentanyl from Pettaway and King in the spring of 2022. In March 2022, agents executed a search warrant at a residence used by Pettaway in Henderson where they recovered a firearm with a large capacity magazine and approximately 1,100 dosage units of a substance containing fentanyl, rifle ammunition, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Pettaway has prior felony convictions for possession of a stolen firearm (2020), possession with the intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver heroin (2020 and 2021), and breaking and entering to terrorize (2020). King pled guilty to drug trafficking and gun charges in March 2023 and was sentenced in August to 180 months in prison.

 

The Local Skinny! ‘Next NC Scholarship’ Helps Students Pay For College

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When it comes to paying for a college education, one of the first things for parents and students to know is the difference between scholarships and grants versus loans. A loan has to be repaid; grants and scholarships don’t.

Vance-Granville Community College President Dr. Rachel Desmarais said her school’s financial aid officers at each of the college’s four campuses are ready to help prospective students as they navigate the sometimes choppy waters of paying for post-secondary schooling.

The Next NC Scholarship is just one of the funding streams available to many state residents, Desmarais said on Monday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

Students in households that make less than $80,000 are eligible for at least $3,000 an academic year at a community college under the Next NC Scholarship. There are several other criteria to be eligible for the Next NC funds, including being a state resident already enrolled in a program and taking at least 6 credit hours.

Close to one-third of VGCC’s traditional student population use some type of financial aid to pay for their tuition and fees, she said.

Whether students are in a path for a certification, a two-year associate degree or want to transfer to a four-year college or university, Desmarais said it’s important to keep student loan debt as low as possible.
“The less debt you can accumulate during that time is important,” she said, adding that scholarships like the Next NC Scholarship and Pell Grants from the federal government both help students be able to afford college.

“They help individuals get that good job and not be stacked with debt,” Desmarais said.

“If you’re spending all your money repaying student loans, you’re not really getting ahead,” she noted.

Many high school seniors and their parents are in the process of completing the all-important Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which opened on Dec. 31, 2023.

VGCC will host a FAFSA Day on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on the Main Campus in Henderson, Desmarais said. This is a time when families can learn more about the financial aid process and get help completing the online documents. The event will take place in Building 7, with check-in in the front lobby. There is plenty of nearby parking to accommodate participants.

“We’re here to help,” Desmarais said. “We enjoy meeting new folks and helping them walk through the financial aid process. We’re excited about helping people plan for college.”

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William Coker New Vance County Animal Services Manager

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Vance County Manager Renee Perry has announced that William Coker has been selected to be the county’s Animal Services Manager.

Coker, a native of Vance County, has more than a decade of work experience in the county, having served in the Sheriff’s Office as well as with Animal Control.

He began his new role on Jan. 2, 2024 following a recruitment and interview process, Perry said in a press statement sent Thursday afternoon to WIZS. Coker succeeds Frankie Nobles, who accepted a new position as the county’s Special Projects Coordinator last year.

 

Maria Parham To Host Jan. 24 Open House For New Nurses

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Maria Parham Health invites nursing students or recent graduates of nursing programs to an Open House on Wednesday, Jan. 24 to learn about career opportunities in the health care industry.

The event will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the hospital’s main campus, 566 Ruin Creek Rd., according to information from MPH Market Coordinator Donna Young.

Prospective nurses will get the chance to speak with experienced nurses and health care leaders as they learn more about job opportunities and a variety of career paths that involve nursing.

Visit https://www.mariaparham.com/event/42 to register online.

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Local Ophthalmologist Daniel Bernstein Passed Away Dec. 23

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Local ophthalmologist Dr. Daniel Bernstein died Saturday, Dec. 23.

Bernstein, 81, retired in 2022 and relocated to Virginia to be closer to family.

Bernstein was initially appointed to the Maria Parham Health medical staff in 1975, according to a social media post from Maria Parham Health, which included condolences to his family, friends and patients. He retired from Four County Eye Associates, where he practiced with partner Dr. Cynthia Hampton.

A funeral service will be held Sunday Dec. 31 at 11 a.m  at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E. Millbrook Rd., Raleigh, followed by a graveside service at 12 noon at Raleigh Hebrew Cemetery, 450 N. State St., Raleigh.

Known for providing quality eye care to his patients for more than five decades, Bernstein also was quick to share jokes, whether in the office or during other activities in the community.

He had been a long-time member of the Henderson Kiwanis Club, and current Kiwanis Club President Danny Wilkerson said he remembered Bernstein as being “just a genuine guy (who) was so supportive of Henderson.”

Wilkerson said he appreciated Bernstein’s civic-mindedness and his support and advice when he was elected back in the fall to be the club’s new president.

Bernstein attended the club’s Christmas party that was held a couple of weeks ago, Wilkerson reported.