Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Battalion Chief Doug Owen Retires From Henderson Fire Department With 30+ Years Of Service

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It’s been a couple of hours now, probably not long enough for it to really sink in, but as of 3 p.m. today, Battalion Chief Doug Owen is officially retired. Central Fire Station on Dabney Drive was filled with a hundred or more family, colleagues and government officials Tuesday afternoon to wish Owen well as he begins a new chapter of his life.

“I’ve had the best years of my life right here,” Owen said during the ceremony. “I’ve really enjoyed my career.”

Amy Colbert and Fire Chief Tim Twisdale presented Owen with a fireman’s axe to say thank you for the 30-plus years Owen devoted to the fire service.

“Chief Owen has been an asset to our department for more than 20 years,” Twisdale told WIZS News after the ceremony, adding that he was always an effective leader and always brought a good work ethic to the job.

“He expects a lot out of his crew and encourages all of us to do our best” when headed out on calls.

For these reasons, and more, Owen has earned the respect of his peers within the local fire department and across other jurisdictions, Twisdale said.

Owen may be retiring from his full-time fire job, but he told WIZS News that he’s planning to stay part-time. “This is the best career anybody could have,” he reiterated.

“If you’re a fireman, you know that bond,” Owen said. “The brotherhood in the fire service is unreal – unbelievable,” he said. “It becomes a bond you can’t break.”

Four Injured By Gunfire Following Argument Friday Night On East Winder Street

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A late-night argument Friday among a group of people resulted in four people being struck by gunfire, and Henderson police are sorting through information to determine just what happened.

The altercation took place about 10:15 p.m. near 328 E. Winder St., according to Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow. The argument escalated quickly, Barrow stated. Three of the four victims sought medical treatment for their injuries.

The victims’ conditions are not known at this time, but Barrow said the following men, all from Henderson, were hit by gunfire: Marcus Hayes, 38; James Davis, 26; Carl Williams, 36; and Tyrese Marshall, 20. Barrow did not specify which three individuals received medical treatment.

The police department’s investigative Division is vigorously working to develop leads and information about the incident, Barrow said. He requests that anyone with information contact  Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252.492.1925, use the P3 app, contact the police department at 252.438.4141 or contact the police department through Facebook Messenger.

Henderson Police Investigate Early-Morning Shooting That Injured 3

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Henderson police are investigating a shooting early Saturday morning near a gas station on East Andrews Avenue. Three men sustained injuries.

Shortly after midnight, police were dispatched to the Fiddlestix, 1421 E. Andrews Ave. in reference to shots being fired in the area, according to information from Chief Marcus Barrow.

When officers arrived, they located a single-vehicle accident in the entrance way of Cardinal Plaza. The vehicle was occupied by four males, all from Warren County, Barrow stated. Three of the four people inside the car had sustained wounds from gunfire.

The three individuals were transported by medical personnel to an area hospital for treatment. At this time, names and status of the victims are being withheld while the investigation continues.

Barrow said the police department’s Investigative Division is vigorously working to develop leads and information about the incident. Barrow requests the public’s assistance as officers continue to investigate. Contact the Henderson Police Department through Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252.492.1925, the P3 app, the police department’s main number, 252.438.4141 or via Facebook Messenger.

‘Ragtime the Musical’ opens tonight to kick off 2023-24 McGregor Live! series

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The McGregor Hall Live! Series kicks off its 2023-24 season tonight as “Ragtime the Musical” takes the stage for performances over the next two weekends.

The curtain rises at 8 p.m. for the Friday and Saturday shows; catch a 2 p.m. matinee on Sundays. The dates are Oct. 27-29 and Nov. 3-5.

The large-scale cast has been in rehearsal since early September to create a show filled with song and dance, with the accompaniment of a live orchestra.

The musical is based on a 1975 novel by E.L. Doctorow, which weaves connections across different cultural groups in New York City during the early years of the 20th century.

Mark Hopper is the director and the musical director for this performance, with Freddie Lee Heath as choreographer and Matt Nowell as technical director.

The McGregor Hall website includes the following synopsis of the show: “…the worlds of a wealthy white couple, a Jewish immigrant father and his motherless daughter, and an African American ragtime musician intertwine. Together, they discover the surprising interconnections of the human heart, the limitations of justice and the unsettling consequences when dreams are permanently deferred. This musical sweeps across the diversity of the American experience to create a stirring epic that captures the beats of the American experience: the marches, the cakewalks and – of course, the ragtime.”
“Ragtime the Musical” is the first in a series of five performances for the 2023-24 season. Other performances include Christmas on Stage – a series of one-act plays, The Tams in concert, Sail ON! The Beach Boys Tribute and Tied up in Knotts: My Dad and Me with Karen Knotts, comedian.

Tickets are on sale now for each of the shows, or save money by purchasing a ticket to all the shows for just $125.

Purchase tickets online at https://www.mcgregorhall.org/, by phone at 252.598.0662 or in person at 201 Breckenridge St.

Visit https://www.mcgregorhall.org/ to learn more about upcoming shows and other events scheduled.

Rabies Alert

Rabid Skunk Case Confirmed On McNair Drive

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Vance County Animal Services has confirmed a case of rabies in a skunk that was found on McNair Drive on Tuesday, Oct. 24.

As a reminder, state law requires all dog and cat owners to keep their pets’ rabies vaccinations up-to-date. Even if your pet is current on its rabies vaccination, if you live in the area of McNair Drive, animal services officials recommend getting a booster.

The Vance County Animal Shelter offers rabies vaccines for $5. Come to the shelter, located at 1243 Brodie Rd. on Mondays between 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and every other Saturday between 8 a.m. and 12 noon.

Call the shelter 252.492.3136 for more information.

Vance County Logo

Vivian Lassiter Fills Role Of Emergency Operations Director

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Vivian Lassiter had been serving as interim director of the county’s emergency operations since the end of May, when long-time director Brian Short retired. At the time, Short said he felt Lassiter would do a great job until a replacement was found.

Well, they found one and, as it turns out, they didn’t have to look far.

Lassiter was selected in mid-September to be the permanent director for emergency operations.

Interim County Manager Scott Elliott said the county recruited for the position over the summer. “A wide field of applicants was vetted and interviews were conducted with the top three, utilizing a formal interview panel,” Elliott said in an email late Tuesday to WIZS News. “Based on…tenure, experience, emergency management training and associated certifications, she rose to the top for this important public safety related position,” Elliott continued.

Because she had been serving as interim, Elliott predicts that citizens should see a “seamless transition” as she takes the reins.

Back in May, Lassiter and Short were guests on TownTalk, during which time the incoming interim director said Short had prepared her for the role she was embarking upon.

“Brian’s worked with me one on one…I feel as ready as anyone else. I believe I’ll do fine (but) I’ve got big shoes to fill,” Lassiter said during that May 11, 2023 interview.

VCS Students Have Day Off On Election Day – Nov. 7

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With early voting underway in Henderson to determine the next mayor, Vance County Schools officials have sent out a reminder that election day – Nov. 7 – will be a day off for students, since several schools also serve as polling sites.

The Center for Innovation – the former Henderson Middle School – is one polling site, and VCS Chief Officer for Communication Aarika Sandlin said Vance County Middle School, L.B. Yancey Elementary and E.O. Young Elementary are polling sites, too. New Hope Elementary also is a polling site, but there are no elections taking place at that location this year.

Municipal elections in Kittrell and Middleburg will be held on Nov. 7, in addition to the Henderson mayoral runoff election.

Aycock Rec Center is a polling site as well.

Sandlin said VCS district leadership tries to have teacher workdays scheduled to coincide with election days when it’s possible.

And students will have a three-day week that week, since Veteran’s Day will be observed on Friday, Nov. 10.

State Retirees Get One-Time Bump In This Month’s Check

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Retired state employees may have noticed a slight bump in their retirement checks that hit their bank accounts today. It’s not an error; rather, it’s a one-time supplement to benefit recipients who retired on or before Oct. 1, 2023, and who are members of the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System, Consolidated Judicial Retirement System and the Legislative Retirement System.

For most retired state employees and teachers, the Oct. 25 payment includes an additional 4 percent of their annual benefit – that amounts to $40 for a $1,000 retirement check.

These funds did not come from the Plan itself, N.C. Treasurer Dale Folwell said in a press statement. The money was appropriated by the General Assembly as a part of the budget passed earlier this month. The one-time payments will not reduce the funded ratio of the State System, Folwell noted.

This one-time supplement does not apply to benefit recipients of the Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System, where a benefit increase may be granted by the LGERS Board of Trustees within certain statutory limitations.

Early Voting Back On Track For Oct. 19 In Mayoral Runoff

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During a second meeting in as many days, the Vance County Board of Elections officially certified the results of last week’s municipal elections, which paves the way for early voting to begin tomorrow (Thursday) as originally scheduled in advance of the Nov. 7 runoff race for mayor.

Since the Oct. 10 election, state and local and state elections officials have been investigating discrepancies surrounding geocoding issues, but it was announced at today’s meeting that the canvass is complete, thereby certifying results for the five contests – four City Council seats and mayor.

During Wednesday’s meeting, Vance County Board of Elections Director Jennifer Cocklin read a summary statement issued by the N.C. State Board of Elections which spelled out the steps taken since the issue arose on the evening of Election Day.

The investigation looked at 83 ballots – 68 voters were assigned to incorrect wards and 15 county residents who incorrectly voted in an city-wide election.

There were a handful of other discrepancies noted, but the investigation determined that none of the outcomes would change as a result.

Three Face Drug Charges Following Search Of Home On Faulkner Town Road

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Three Vance County men face a variety of drug charges after law enforcement officers conducted a search of a home on Faulkner Town Road, according to Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame.

Sheriff deputies, along with Henderson Police Department narcotics and vice unit and the SBI, participated in the investigation, which took place at 921 Faulkner Town Road on Oct. 16, Brame said in a press release issued Wednesday.

The execution was the result of a multi-agency investigation regarding illegal drug sales from suspects located both within the target residence as well as the curtilage, Brame said in the statement.

There were five individuals in the home when officers arrived, two juveniles and Shykeyvis Lyons, 21, and Markeyvis Lyons, 20, all described as residents of the home; and Clysaveon Fields, 20, whose address was listed as Pinkston Street, Henderson.

Approximately 130 dosage units of heroin and a certain amount of crack cocaine was located and seized during the search.  Additionally, two firearms, an undisclosed amount of US Currency and various items of drug paraphernalia utilized for the packaging and repackaging of heroin was located.

The following charges have been filed as of the submission of the Press Release:

Shykeyvis Lyons and Markeyvis Lyons were each charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver heroin; felony possession of heroin; maintaining a dwelling to keep/sell/store a controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia. A secured bond of $20,000 was set for each.

Fields was charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver heroin; felony possession of heroin, maintaining a vehicle to keep/sell/store a controlled substance; felony possession of cocaine base; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was placed under a $50,000 secured bond.

Brame said juvenile petitions are anticipated for the two remaining juvenile suspects, both under the age of 18. This investigation continues and further arrests are anticipated, Brame noted.