Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

MPH Staff Has An Oasis Room To Take Respite

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Maria Parham Health staff now has an Oasis Room, designed just for them as a spot where they can just unplug and recharge – themselves and their phones.

With thanks to the hospital’s facilities team and suggestions from staff to the Resiliency Committee, the room was officially opened today (Thursday) and will open for everyone to enjoy come Monday, according to Kimberly Smith, director of the Cancer Center and member of the resiliency committee.

What once had been a spot with outdated lighting and carpeting that served as a hiding spot for storage racks has been transformed into a soothing, well – oasis – for MPH staff to come enjoy a few minutes of peace and quiet during their workday.

There’s a massage chair for relieving stress and a television that will play soothing music, Smith said.

“People can use it as a place to relax a little bit,” said CEO Bert Beard, before returning to the work of saving lives and caring for patients.

There will be snacks and drinks and a single-cup coffee maker for everyone to enjoy. There’s a spot to charge phones and a coloring wall, along with a board where folks can write positive messages to one another.

“We’re very pleased with the way the space turned out,” Beard said. Smith also gave special thanks to Josh Banks, director of the facilities team, for the extra effort they put in to making the room just right. “They just really have a heart to make things happen,” she said.

But that’s not all – Smith said she hopes to create a smaller version of the Oasis room on the patient floors for those nurses and others who aren’t necessarily able to come to the Oasis room during their shift. “Even if it’s a simple recliner,” Smith said, having a mini-oasis on the different floors would allow staff “to get away and reset themselves.”

Investigation continues in report of armed suspects inside local Walmart

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Henderson police continue to investigate following a report Tuesday of possible armed suspects inside the local Walmart. So far, no arrests have been made in the case.

Police were called to the Walmart, located at 200 N. Cooper Dr. at about 4:15 p.m. on a report of possible armed suspects inside the store.

The first officers arrived on the scene at 4:17 p.m. The store was evacuated while a search of the building was conducted, according to information from Chief Marcus Barrow. Upon review of surveillance video, it was determined that three individuals suspected in the incident had left the store before the first officers arrived.

The store since reopened as investigators follow up on leads.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the police department through Facebook Messenger, the P3 app, Crime Stoppers, or by calling our main line 252.438.4141.

HPD: 3 Arrested On Drug Charges

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Henderson police arrested three men earlier this week on various drug charges following a search at a home on Eastside Drive.

Police officers served a narcotic search warrant on Monday, May 16 at 803 Eastside Dr. and seized several semi-automatic weapons, 520 dosage units of heroin and drug-manufacturing equipment, according to a statement from Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow.

On May 16, 2022, Officers of the Henderson Police Department served a narcotic search warrant at 803 Eastside Drive Henderson, North Carolina in response to a drug complaint.
Arrested in connection with the investigation were Demazhae Perry, 19, Tyrone Rogers, 36, and Waynemon Bullock, 34.

Perry was charged with two counts of trafficking heroin, one count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell, deliver Heroin, felony possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and one count of maintaining a vehicle/dwelling place for a controlled substance.
Perry received a $1,036,000.00 secured bond due to his previous post-trial releases on multiple other pending charges, Barrow noted.
Rogers was charged with one count of possession of a firearm by felon, felony possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia and maintaining a vehicle/dwelling place for a controlled substance. Rogers was placed under a $39,000 secured bond.
Bullock was charged with one count of possession of a firearm by felon and was placed under a $30,000 secured bond.
Anyone with information about any ongoing criminal activity is asked to contact the Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252.492.1925 or P3 phone app, or contact the police department at 252.438.414 or via Facebook or Instagram.

Vance County Primary Election Results

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The Vance County portion of the May 17, 2022 primary saw final, unofficial results in less than two hours after the polls closed at 7:30 p.m. and two challengers in the winners column.

Not a situation of being too close to call but indeed a situation of being very close was Sean Alston’s 270 votes to Gordon Wilder’s 260 votes for Vance County Board of Commissioners District 3.

After learning of Alston’s victory, the incumbent candidate Wilder told WIZS News when asked about a recount, “I think it would be wise to do so.”

As there is no Republican challenger in November for this County Commissioners seat, the primary outcome is in effect the election.

As for the City of Henderson Alderman At-Large 2nd Ward, incumbent William T. Burnette was unseated by challenger Lamont Noel. Noel earned 765 votes to Burnette’s 632. That’s close enough for a recount according to elections officials, but when asked Burnette said to WIZS News, “With Mr. Noel winning 45 percent of the votes, I don’t think a recount is necessary.”

As the City election is a non-partisan, municipal election, it too is the election despite otherwise being at the same time as the primary.

Incumbent candidate and Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame will be able to continue to seek office in the general election after defeating challenger Sterlin Walker in the Democratic primary. Brame earned 3,232 votes to Walker’s 867.

Brame will be challenged in November by Republican Patrick Bailey who defeated Jonathan Collier. The Bailey and Collier totals were 760 and 433 respectively.

The other closely contested race was for Vance County Clerk of Superior Court. In the Democratic primary, incumbent Henry Gupton received 2,138 votes while challenger Amanda Burnette received 1,930. As there is no Republican challenger, it is a successful re-election bid for Gupton.

The other contested Henderson City Council seat was for Alderman At-Large 1st Ward where incumbent Sara Coffey defeated challenger Clementine Hunter 1,416 to 246.

Otherwise, in purely local Vance County races, Garry Daeke was unopposed for City of Henderson Alderman 3rd Ward and received 257 votes, and Ola Thorpe-Cooper was unopposed for the City of Henderson Alderman 4th Ward seat. She received 310 votes.

West End Baptist

West End Baptist Church To Host 3-Day Yard Sale May 18-20

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The Baptist Men’s group of West End Baptist Church is hosting a huge three-day yard sale this week. Jerry Parrish invites the community to come join the fun and check out all the items for sale on Wednesday through Friday, May 18-20.

The yard sale will be held at the church, located at 619 Dabney Dr. and will start each day at 7 a.m.

Among the items for sale are a large selection of golf clubs, working vacuum cleaners, a working refrigerator, an assortment of Halloween and Christmas items, as well as yard tools, weed eaters, chain saws, a couple of riding lawnmowers and even a paddle boat.

All proceeds will go to support local and state ministries including ACTS, Rebuilding Hope, Lifeline Ministries, Baptist On Mission, Samaritan’s Purse and GRACE Ministries.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Local COVID-19 Cases On The Rise

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COVID-19 cases are on the rise across much of North Carolina, and Vance and Granville counties are no exception.

According to information extracted from the COVID-19 dashboard Granville-Vance Public Health website, the number of new weekly positive cases is on the uptick in both counties.

The most recent numbers are for May 7, with 42 cases – 2 of which are reinfections – for Vance County. That is an increase over the 26 cases reported as of April 30.

In Granville County, the May 7 number was 95, with 7 being reinfections. The April 30 number had been 75, according to the dashboard statistics.

In both counties, the number of new cases dropped to single digits in early April, but have since seen increases. Cases in both counties peaked in mid-January, with 865 cases in Vance and 1,155 cases in Granville.

Total cases since March 2020 are 11,936 in Vance and 14,536 in Granville, with deaths from COVID-19 standing at 122 in Vance and 115 in Granville.

With mask requirements now optional in many places and people gathering and congregating with less regard for social distancing, the risk for contracting COVID-19 may also increase.

If you do experience symptoms, you should get tested. And if the results come back positive for COVID-19, health professionals advise to self-isolate for 10 days.

Visit http://www.gvdhd.org/ to learn more.

 

Online Meeting May 19 To Talk About Business Recovery Grants

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The N.C. Department of Revenue has scheduled an online information session next week to help businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic apply for Business Recovery Grant money.

The session will be held Thursday, May 19 from 11 a.m. to noon and is open to anyone interested in learning more about the grant’s Phase 2, according to Sheri Jones, VGCC Small Business Center Director. “The state is eager to distribute these funds to eligible businesses so I would encourage anyone who was in business during the pandemic to take a look at the criteria and apply – it is much broader and covers more business types in this phase, Jones said.

The deadline to apply is June 1.
To register for Thursday’s online session, go to:  NC DOR Business Recovery Grant – Program Overview & Common FAQs
The N.C. General Assembly passed the legislation and Gov. Roy Cooper signed it into law in March. The BRG issues awards of up to $500,000 to eligible North Carolina businesses that suffered substantial economic loss during the pandemic.
Two types of grants are available through the program:

  • A hospitality grant is available to an eligible arts, entertainment or recreation business,
    as well as an eligible accommodation or food service business such as a hotel, restaurant or bar (NAICS code 71 and 72).
  • A reimbursement grant is available to an eligible business not classified in NAICS Code
    71 and 72.

For Phase 2, the law was changed to make more businesses eligible for a grant. A business that received other COVID-19 relief may now be eligible for a grant in Phase 2.
Visit https://www.ncdor.gov/business-recovery-grant for more information and to apply.

Mail Carriers’ ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ Event May 14

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Postal carriers deliver all sorts of mail to boxes near and far every day. But there’s a special-delivery postcard that found its way into area mailboxes recently to promote the “Stamp Out Hunger” campaign, which takes place the second Saturday in May.

That day is THIS Saturday, May 14.

The request is simple: Leave healthy, non-perishable food items by your mailbox and the person who delivers your mail will pick up your donation.

Since 1993, the National Association of Letter Carriers, along with various national partners, has worked to collect food items that are donated to local food pantries.

Visit www.stampouthungerfooddrive.us to learn more.

Perry Memorial Library

Friends Of Perry Library Meeting Monday, May 16

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The Friends of the Perry Memorial invites you to attend the annual meeting on Monday, May 16 at 7 p.m.

The group exists to support the library in its mission to provide the best collection, programs and service to the community in and around Henderson.

Among the agenda items are planning for summer and fall activities, including the next book sale. The group also will be electing board members.

The meeting will be held in the Farm Bureau Room at the library, located at 205 Breckenridge St.

For more information, contact friendsofperrymemoriallibrary@gmail.com

 

Country Snacks Mfg. Named Vance Co. Small Business Of The Year

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Country Snacks Manufacturing was named Vance County Small Business of the Year Wednesday by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.

The business, founded in 2000 by Dwight Frazier and now run by daughter Angie Jacobs, makes a variety of snacks like pork rinds and pork skins in bags with the familiar Carolina Country Snack logo.

In presenting the award, Ronald Bennett, chairperson of the Henderson-Vance Chamber, told the group of about 40 that the company started out with a few employees and has grown to about 35. A partnership with Wise Foods has meant the crunchy snack foods have a much wider distribution now. “And it all started right here in Henderson,” Bennett said.

Upon accepting the award, Jacobs said she is proud to live in Henderson. “We love where we live,” she said. “We’re very thankful for this award and we appreciate it.”

Three other Chambers were represented at Wednesday’s event and announced their Small Business winners as well. The luncheon was held at Henderson Country Club.

Granville County Chamber Executive Director Lauren Roberson awarded Randall Huff of Huff Consulting LLC the Small Business of the Year for Granville County. In accepting the award, Huff said his business’s open house was in August 2021, and the reception from the community was a welcoming one.

“We’re in the right place to be able to help people in the right way,” he said. “We look forward to being a pillar in the community for a long time.”

In Franklin County, the Small Business of the Year went to Cook Shack Catering LLC and REMAX Premier Realty is the winner in Person County.

Representatives of the N.C. Rural Center were the guest speakers at the awards luncheon. Miles Kirksey and Tori Keeton shared updates about the role small businesses play in the economy and what that means for rural areas.

Kirksey said Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties have seen the most growth in new small businesses in 2020-21: Vance County has seen a 110 percent growth in new businesses, with Warren coming in at 91 percent, followed by Granville with 89 percent, Person with 86 percent and Franklin with 80 percent.

“I’m excited to see the growth of these five counties,” Kirksey said, adding that the more rural counties should be mindful of the benefits they can offer.

“Rural is not just a place,” Kirksey said. “It’s a way of life.”