Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Harold Sherman Adult Day Center Open House Set For June 22

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Caregivers and family members who want to learn more about the Harold Sherman Adult Day Center in Granville County can attend an open house later this month in Oxford.

The open house will be held Wednesday, June 22 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 1038-B College St., Oxford.

The Harold Sherman Adult Day Center provides services for residents of Granville, Vance and Warren counties, according to information from its director, Gail Barnes-Hall. Granville Health System established the adult day center in 1998 to meet the needs of disabled adults and their caregivers.

The purpose of the open house is to provide families and caregivers in the community with information about the adult day services program, Barnes-Hall said in a written statement. During the open house, caregivers will have an opportunity to tour the facility, speak with staff and discuss available funding options.

To register for this event, please email Barnes-Hall at ghall@granvillemedical.com. You may also contact the center directly at 919.690.3273.

The open house will feature informational discussions with staff who will share an overview of the services provided by the center, including:

  • Health Care Monitoring
  • Healthy Meals and Snacks
  • Assistance with Mobility, Eating and Toileting
  • Daily Activities to Promote Mental Stimulation
  • Gentle Exercises
  • Educational Program

For more information about HSADC visit www.ghsHospital.org/HSADC or call 919.690.3273.

Mt. Moriah AME Zion Site Of Summer Meals Program For Children

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Mt. Moriah AME Zion Church is partnering with the Durham branch of the N.C. Food Bank again this summer to provide free hot lunches to any child between the ages of 0 and 18 years.

The Kids Summer Meals Program provides hot, catered lunches and snacks to children in the area, beginning June 20, 2022 and continuing through Aug. 5, according to information from Linda Bristow of Mt. Moriah AME Zion. Meals will be served each weekday in the church fellowship hall between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The church is located 5448 Highway 158 Business in Henderson.

VCS Thanks Volunteers For Partnering With Schools During 2021-22

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Vance County Schools paid a special thank-you to a host of churches and other local individuals and organizations that have partnered with the district’s schools to enhance students’ learning experience.

And this year, Gang Free, Inc. was recognized for its ongoing work with Vance County Middle School.

Melissa Elliott, founder of Gang Free, Inc., was on hand at the partnership recognition ceremony Thursday, June 9 at 3 p.m. at the VCS Center for Innovation. In addition to providing basic necessities for students, their families and the community, Gang Free, Inc. – through a partnership with the N.C. Food Bank – established VCMS as a food bank satellite. Students can make weekly trips through the food bank to take home what their families may need. Community members can access the food bank as well.

Following is a list of volunteers and the schools they partnered with during the 2021-22 school year:

  • Craig Compton, Aycock Elementary 
  • New Life Baptist Church, Carver Elementary 
  • Alternative Learning Center & Community Engagement, Inc, Clarke Elementary
  • First United Methodist Church, Dabney Elementary 
  • Clearview Baptist Church,  E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy
  • Middleburg United Methodist Church, O. Young Elementary 
  • Henderson Optimist Club, B. Yancey Elementary 
  • Julie A. Booth, New Hope Elementary 
  • First United Methodist Church, Pinkston Street Elementary 
  • Plank Chapel United Methodist Church, Zeb Vance Elementary
  • TechTerra, STEM Early High School 
  • Fuerza Y Union Multiple Foundation, Vance County Early College High School T&T Laundry, Vance County High School 
  • Gang Free Inc., Vance County Middle School 
  • 4 Point 0 Mobile Clinic, Inc., Vance Virtual Village (V3) Academy 

BAT-Mobile Units On State Roadways To Curb Impaired Driving

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North Carolina drivers in all 100 counties should be on the lookout for the BAT-mobile cruising their local streets this summer. But it’s not the Caped Crusader who’s behind the wheel – it’s your local law enforcement officer, working to get impaired drivers off the road.

This BAT-mobile refers to mobile Breath Alcohol Testing Units, used by local law enforcement agencies as part of campaigns to keep impaired drivers off the streets. And Governor’s Highway Safety Program Director Mark Ezzell said the technology proves useful in the effort to curb impaired driving.

“BAT-mobiles – while not exactly the same as the one Batman drove – are a pretty critical tool for fighting crime in North Carolina, especially when it comes to impaired driving,” Ezzell said in a press release.

This is part of an ambitious plan to conduct a BAT-mobile enforcement campaign in every North Carolina county in order to curb impaired driving from Memorial Day to Labor Day, which encompasses the 100 deadliest days of the year on the road.

The time of year is especially dangerous for teenagers, who are 16 percent more likely to be involved in a fatal crash during this time period, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

During the 100 Deadliest Days campaign, BAT-mobiles will be used at DWI Checking Stations or during other impaired driving enforcement effort conducted by local law enforcement agencies. Campaigns are generally conducted at locations with a high rate of impaired driving crashes.

BAT-mobiles are operated by the Forensic Tests for Alcohol Branch, a division of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. The units allow law enforcement to conduct breath alcohol and other sobriety tests, are fully equipped with the instruments and forms necessary for a law enforcement officer to test and process a driver arrested for an impaired driving offense, and even have office space for a magistrate to operate in order to make the process of charging an impaired driver more seamless.

The N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program provides grant funding to DHHS each year to operate seven units statewide.

Law enforcement agencies interested in taking part in a BAT-mobile campaign should visit the Forensic Test for Alcohol website at or contact Jason Smith, statewide BAT-mobile coordinator, at jason.r.smith@dhhs.nc.gov.

Two Local Men Get Prison Terms For Drugs, Weapons Charges

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-information courtesy of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina

Two Henderson men were sentenced in federal court Thursday for separate drugs and weapons-related charges.

Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after the sentences were handed down. Details of the cases were included in a press statement issued from Easley’s office Thursday.

Joseph Jones, Jr., also known as “Woo,” was sentenced in Raleigh to 180 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin and marijuana, and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. On Mar. 16, 2022, Jones pled guilty to the charges filed against him.

A second Henderson man, Jamey Owens, 51, was sentenced Thursday in Wilmington, N.C. to 72 months in prison for possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, in May 2020, Jones, 24, was identified as a heroin dealer in Henderson. The Henderson Police Department utilized a confidential informant to make controlled purchases of heroin from Jones. On Aug. 26, 2020, HPD responded to a call for service regarding a heroin overdose victim, who was stabilized with medical assistance. The victim reportedly purchased the heroin from Jones.

The same day, HPD conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Jones and found him to be in possession of heroin. A search warrant was executed at his residence where more than 1,000 doses of heroin and more than 11 grams of marijuana were found, along with two loaded firearms including a Glock 21 .45 caliber pistol and a Diamondback AM2 9mm pistol. Some of the heroin was bound into “bricks” comprising 50 dosage units and carried stamps such as “Devil’s Reject,” “Maestro,” “Shell,” “Uranas,” “Takeback,” and “Natural Flavor.”

Jones has a lengthy criminal history, including possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver a Schedule I controlled substance, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, and conspiracy to sell or deliver heroin.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Henderson Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Dodson prosecuted the Jones case.

According to court records and statements made during hearings in the Owens case, Henderson police conducted a controlled buy of cocaine from Owens on Jan. 13, 2019 at his home on State Street. Based on the controlled buy, officers obtained a search warrant for the residence, which they executed on January 15, 2019.

Owens was present with his girlfriend. Near a couch where Owens had been sleeping, officers found two handguns. In his bedroom, they found a third pistol, and in a second bedroom they recovered a shotgun. Officers found drugs stashed throughout the house, including cocaine, heroin, suspected ecstasy tablets, and marijuana. They also found four digital scales; ink stamps labeled with “BLACK CEASAR” and green glassine bags, both commonly used to package heroin; two glass Pyrex dishes with a white powdery substance; and over $3000 in cash.

The Henderson Police Department and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake D. Pugh prosecuted the case.

Fireworks To Light The Night Sky At Satterwhite Point July 2

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The upcoming Fourth of July weekend at Kerr Lake promises to be filled with plenty of red, white and blue and all that makes summertime fun – including fireworks!

The Independence Day Celebration is set for Saturday, July 2 and Vance County Tourism is sponsoring the fireworks display. Tourism Director Pam Hester said Satterwhite Point Park is going to be THE place to be – there will be food, live music and other vendors from 4 p.m. until dark.

“Dark,” in this case, means after the sun goes down. On July 2, the sun will set at 8:35 p.m., and Hester said the fireworks will begin around 9:15 p.m.

As a reminder, alcohol is not permitted in state parks. There is a $7 state park gate fee, which is per car.

Contact Hester at 252.438.2222 vctourism@vancecounty.org for more information.

Donate Blood At Upcoming Drives In Henderson, Oxford

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What better way to celebrate World Blood Donor Day on June 14 than to make an appointment for an upcoming blood drive in the area? All eligible donors are encouraged to take part by making an appointment to give blood or platelets during the month of June.

The American Red Cross joins other blood collection organizations around the world to recognize the importance of a safe and stable blood supply and the donors who make it possible.

Nearly 2.5 million people volunteer to give lifesaving blood and platelets every year with the Red Cross, according to a statement from Eastern North Carolina’s Regional Communications Director Cally Edwards, which includes Vance, Granville and Warren counties.

Blood donations decline in late spring and early summer – especially during holiday weeks, like Memorial Day and Independence Day – but the need for blood and platelet transfusions doesn’t take a summer break.

To schedule an appointment to donate, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1.800.733.2767).

Blood drives in Henderson and Oxford are scheduled for Friday, June 24, Edwards stated.

Here are the details:

  • Henderson: 6/24, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Maria Parham Medical Center, 566 Ruin Creek Rd.
  • Oxford: 6/24, 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Oxford United Methodist Church, 105 W. McClanahan St.

As a special thank you, everyone who donates blood during June will also have their name entered for a chance to win a VIP trip for two to Graceland.

The trip includes round-trip airfare to Memphis, plus a three-night stay at The Guest House and Elvis Entourage VIP tour, courtesy of Graceland, a custom-wrapped Gibson Epiphone guitar and more.

Additionally, those who come to donate in June will also receive a $5 e-gift card to a merchant of choice.

Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1.800.733.2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information.

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

S-Line Rail Corridor

June 16 Workshop, Open House Set For Warren Residents To Discuss S-Line Rail Corridor

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-information courtesy of Warren County Community and Economic Development Director, Charla Duncan

As plans continue for rail service through North Carolina, Warren County and the NCDOT’s Integrated Mobility Division will host a design workshop and public open house next month to allow the community to provide input toward a vision for the transit-oriented development in the area.

The proposed S-Line is a rail line that involves about 95 miles in North Carolina and will connect  Richmond, Virginia and Tampa, Florida, with stops in Norlina and Henderson, according to information received from the office of Warren County Manager Vincent Jones.

The design workshop will be held Thursday, June 16  between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Warrenton Armory Civic Center, 501 U.S. Hwy 158 Business East in Warrenton. Members of the community are invited to come any time during the three hours to provide their own ideas, suggestions and feedback as they learn more about the vision for the S-Line rail corridor in Norlina.

The public open house will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., also at the Warrenton Armory. Families are invited and there will be a “kids zone” with children’s activities.

In addition to Norlina and Henderson, the S-Line project includes Apex, Franklinton, Raleigh, Sanford, Wake Forest and Youngsville along the 95-mile stretch of rail line.

Transit-oriented development has a goal to connect communities and public spaces by increasing accessibility without having to rely on a personal vehicle. An important aspect of this study is public engagement.

More information about the S-Line Transit Oriented Development Study can be found online at https://www.ncdot.gov/divisions/rail/s-line-study.

For more information, contact Charla Duncan, director of community and economic development, at 252.257.3115 or by email at charladuncan@warrencountync.gov.

Vance GOP

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson Featured Speaker At Upcoming Vance GOP Fundraiser

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If you haven’t already purchased a ticket for the June 24 Vance County Republican Party fundraiser, there’s still time, but Vance GOP Chairman Jimmy Barrier says you need to get a move on – they’re selling fast.

So fast, in fact, that the local organization had to get an additional 100 tickets printed after the initial round sold out.

Special guest speaker is Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, Barrier said, with a time to meet local candidates in the November 2022 general election. Gates open at 5 p.m., according to information from Barrier.

The event will be held at 284 U.S. Hwy 158 bypass in Henderson, across from Charles Boyd Chevrolet.

Tickets are $25 each for a plate of chicken, barbecue, slaw, hushpuppies and your choice of tea or water.

Tickets may be purchased at the following locations:

  • Law office of Lori Renn, 409 Young St., Henderson – 252.438.8082
  • Cross Creek Outdoor Supply, 537 Cross Creek Rd., Henderson – 252.492.9770
NCDOT

S-Line Rail Project Gathering Steam As Progress Continues

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If you want to learn more about the plans for the S-Line railroad and proposed stop in Henderson, or if you’d like to share your ideas about the project, please plan to come to a design workshop and open house on Tuesday, June 7 at McGregor Hall.

The workshop is open to the public any time between 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the foyer of McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center at 201 Breckenridge St. and will focus on current plans for the S-Line in Henderson, according to Tracy Madigan, director of the Henderson-Vance County Downtown Development Commission. An open house will be held in the Farm Bureau Room of the Perry Memorial Library right next door from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.  The open house is a time for interested residents to provide input and ideas for developing a plan for the S-Line, a commuter rail line between Richmond, VA and Tampa,

About 95 miles of railway will run through the state, with proposed stops North Carolina’s S-Line project includes six other communities in addition to Henderson: Norlina, Franklinton, Youngsville, Wake Forest, Raleigh and Sanford.

A similar workshop and open house is scheduled for Thursday, June 16 at the Warrenton Armory Civic Center. The design workshop will be open between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.; the open house will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Transit-oriented development has a goal to connect communities and establish mobility hubs by increasing accessibility without having to rely on personal vehicles.  An important aspect to the study is community input.

More information about the S-Line Transit Oriented Development Study may be found online at https://www.ncdot.gov/divisions/rail/s-line-study.

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