Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Howard Perry

Suspect in Kittrell Grocery, Bear Pond Market Armed Robbery Arrested

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-Press Release, Vance County Sheriff’s Office

On Wednesday, July 1, 2020, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division responded to Kittrell Grocery located at 1365 U.S. 1 Kittrell, North Carolina and Bear Pond Fresh Market located at 3963 Raleigh Road, Henderson, North Carolina in reference to an armed robbery.

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division arrived at the scene and began the investigation. A person of interest was developed.

Howard Perry, Jr. (VCSO photo)

After conducting interviews, Howard Perry, Jr., age 52, became a suspect. A traffic stop was conducted on Perry‘s vehicle on NC 39 South where he was taken into custody.

The Criminal Investigation Division made contact with other jurisdictions that had similar incidents in the Vance County area, and Perry was subsequently charged with one count of Common Law Robbery, one count of Attempted Common Law Robbery that occurred in Vance County and another count of Common Law Robbery that happened in the city of Henderson.

Perry‘s bond was set at $50,000, and he is scheduled to appear in Vance County District Court on August 4, 2020.

This investigation is continuing.

Nathan Currie

Vance Virtual Village Academy Names Principal

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools is pleased to announce Nathan Currie as the Principal for Vance Virtual Village Academy.

Mr. Currie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, having most recently served as the Superintendent of North Carolina Cyber Academy, an independent, virtual public charter school that serves over 2,500 students in grades K-12. While there, he networked with statewide and national school leaders, policymakers and heads of schools to promote digital learning and competencies. 

Vance County Schools has named Nathan Currie as the Principal for Vance Virtual Village Academy. Mr. Currie will begin his new position on August 1, 2020. (Photo courtesy VCS)

Mr. Currie, a native of Wilmington, NC, received his Bachelor of Science from Livingstone College, his Master of Arts from the University of Phoenix and is currently a High Point University Doctoral student in the School of Education. 

Mr. Currie has served the public schools of North Carolina for over 20 years, beginning as an elementary and middle school teacher in Rowan-Salisbury Schools, later becoming an assistant principal, principal and director of middle schools. Currie went on to serve as the Assistant Superintendent of Administration in the Rowan-Salisbury Schools and later the Executive Director of North Carolina Connections Academy, a virtual public charter school. 

Currie has served on the YMCA Board, Community Action Agency, is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and enjoys playing the piano and reading. Currie believes that technology is the surest way to upward mobility and that it creates a more equitable edge in connecting students to learning.

Having over 20 years of educational experience, VCS is confident that Mr. Currie will bring a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the newest Innovative School – V3. Mr. Currie will begin his new position on August 1, 2020.

VCS Athletics Update

Vance Co. Schools Delays Opening of Summer Athletic Conditioning

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-Information courtesy Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools continues to evaluate the timing of returning to athletics. VCS understands that summer workouts and conditioning are important; however, due to continued concerns regarding COVID-19, the opening of athletic workouts will be delayed to no earlier than July 20, 2020.

VCS will continue to monitor health and safety data, in consultation with NCDHHS and GVPH, to ensure student-athletes are able to safely return.

NC Governor Logo

Governor Cooper: No Official Word on School Plans; ‘Classroom Doors’ Reopening Priority

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-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper

Governor Roy Cooper today shared that North Carolina will continue working with schools, teachers, parents, and health experts to ensure that plans for school this coming year will protect everybody, especially those at high-risk.

“We want to get our students back in the classroom, and we want to make sure we get this right. My number one opening priority is classroom doors,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “We encourage our public schools to continue planning, with a special focus on how teachers, staff, and students can best be protected – especially those who are high-risk.”

In June, the state released the Strong Schools NC Public Health Toolkit laying out essential health practices for schools to re-open safely. Schools were asked to prepare three plans: Plan A – in-person learning with key health and safety rules in place. Plan B – same as Plan A, but with fewer children in the classroom at one time. And Plan C – remote learning for all students.

With the goal of getting students back in the classroom for in-person learning this school year, planning continues to ensure teachers, staff and students will have adequate protection.

“We need to do everything within our collective power so that our children can return to in-person instruction,” said NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen. “We can do that with the scientifically proven protective measures in the StrongSchoolsNC guidance and all of us practicing the 3Ws.”

This week, the state distributed supplies of personal protective equipment to schools across the state for use in the upcoming school year to keep students safe and healthy while at school. These PPE Starter Packs include a two-month supply of thermometers, surgical masks, face shields & gowns to school systems and charter schools, for school nurses and delegated staff who provide health care to students for the 2020-2021 school year.

In total, the shipments include more than 16,500 thermometers, 7,200 face shields, 81,000 gowns and more than 347,000 surgical masks. Shipments to 203 charter schools, lab schools, and regional schools will travel via UPS. Supplies for the 116 public school districts will ship either via UPS or directly to the school district warehouse by North Carolina National Guard teams or by a contracted trucking firm.

The state has also provided school districts with access to statewide contracts so they can more easily purchase other health and hygiene supplies, like cloth face coverings and hand sanitizer, for their staff and students.

More is needed, and Governor Cooper is committed to working with schools, teachers, parents, the Department of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education on a strong plan to re-open schools.

VGCC Truck Driver Training

VGCC’s New Truck Driver Training Program Graduates First Class

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

The new Truck Driver Training, or CDL, program at Vance-Granville Community College began in February, had to be suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and then later resumed before finally concluding this month. Through all the ups and downs, VGCC officials say that the students in this first class have shown great perseverance and determination.

Jeff Bullock, of Henderson, is just one of many examples of the dedicated students in this class. Bullock, who works as a third shift engineer, earned a 4.0 grade point average and had perfect attendance. “Our highly experienced instructors provided excellent training and information inside and outside the classroom,” said Bullock. “Instructors stressed the importance of how to safely operate tractor-trailers and pay attention to detail during on-the-road training. We had access to recruiters from numerous trucking companies giving us potential job options as well as insight into the trucking industry.”

Students (pictured above) in the first class of VGCC’s new Trucker Driver Training program have completed their DOT exams, making them eligible for their “Class A” Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL-A) and fully employable as truck drivers. (VGCC photo)

Jim Womack, lead instructor for the Truck Driver Training program, said of Bullock, “I’m very proud of Jeff. He was an outstanding student that was never absent and never late for class.”

Student Michael Haskins, of Oxford, is another positive example from the class, who also earned a 4.0 grade point average and had perfect attendance. Instructor Womack noted, “Michael is a great guy and was a big help to the entire class. He was always the first student to offer his assistance to other students.”

Haskins’ philosophy was simple: “No man left behind.” As a result of the challenges caused by COVID-19, Haskins was “willing and determined to do whatever he could do to make sure every student was successful by passing the class and getting their CDL-A license.” He described the class as a “career-changing and exciting experience.” 

Student Kaylin Riley, of Creedmoor, faced challenges that he had to overcome. Womack said that he noticed “Kaylin buckling down and getting really serious about improving his driving skills and techniques – which paid off for him because he successfully completed the course and will be getting his CDL-A Driver License.”

Dawn Tucker, Dean of Continuing Education and College & Career Readiness said “Providing these young men and women the training necessary to start a new and rewarding career gives the college GREAT joy and pride! Their ability to persevere, in the midst of a pandemic, and their commitment to successfully completing all the requirements of the program, are clear indications that the best, for them, is yet to come.”

The program includes a combination of classroom instruction, range driving and road driving. With the end of training on June 25, 2020, students have successfully completed their DOT exams, making them eligible for their “Class A” Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL-A) and fully employable as truck drivers.   

VGCC is scheduled to offer another nine-week class starting in August, with a mandatory orientation on July 29. 

The program, offered in collaboration with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute and certified by the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI), is considered essential to meeting the needs of many companies who need drivers to move goods across the country. Local employers have shown strong support for VGCC’s program and have spoken to students about job opportunities. 

To enroll in the program, students must be at least 18 years old, have a valid North Carolina driver’s license, and be able to read and speak English well enough to take instructions from highway signs, to converse with officials, and to complete the required reports.

For more information on the Truck Driver Training Program, please visit www.vgcc.edu/cdl/ or contact Kyle Burwell, Director of Occupational Extension, at 252-738-3276 or burwellk@vgcc.edu.

Jeff Bullock, of Henderson, is just one of many examples of the dedicated students in VGCC’s Trucker Driver Training class. Bullock, who works as a third shift engineer, earned a 4.0 grade point average and had perfect attendance. (VGCC photo)

Student Michael Haskins, of Oxford, is another positive example from the Truck Driver class, who also earned a 4.0 grade point average and had perfect attendance. (VGCC photo)

Student Kaylin Riley, of Creedmoor, successfully completed VGCC’s Truck Driver Training course and is now eligible for his CDL-A Driver License. (VGCC photo)

Confederate Monument and Statue Vance County

Town Talk 07/01/20: Call-in, Discussion on Removal of Vance Co. Confederate Statue

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To hear today’s Town Talk segment in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk or click the play button below.

Listen live to Town Talk every Monday – Friday at 11 a.m. at 100.1 FM, 1450 AM or online at www.wizs.com.

To read the WIZS article regarding the Vance County Board of Commissioners’ 4-3 vote to remove the Confederate statue and monument, click here.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

COVID-19 Update: Current Numbers; Outbreak at Brantwood Nursing & Rehab

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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health and the Warren County Health Department

As of June 30, 2020, there are 813 known COVID-19 cases in Granville County, 502 cases in Vance County, 160 in Warren County and 64,670 confirmed cases in North Carolina.

Granville County:

There are three outbreaks at congregate living facilities in Granville County: Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, NC, Murdoch Development Center in Butner, NC, and Central Regional Hospital in Butner, NC.

Of the cases in Granville County, 403 are associated with the prisons, five are associated with Murdoch, and two are associated with Central Regional Hospital.

Of the 403 cases in the prison system, 92 have been released from isolation and two individuals with Murdoch have been released from isolation.

Of the 403 community-based cases in Granville County, 247 have been released from isolation and six are hospitalized.

There is an outbreak at Brantwood Nursing and Rehab Center. Two staff members have tested positive but neither reside in Granville County, so they are not included in the Granville County numbers. The center is testing staff and residents regularly.

There have been a total of 21 deaths in Granville County, 19 of whom were with the Bureau of Prisons and one with Central Regional Hospital.

Vance County:

There are two active outbreaks at congregate living facilities in Vance County: Kerr Lake Nursing Home in Henderson, NC, and Senior Citizens Home in Henderson, NC.

There was also an outbreak at Pelican Health in Henderson, NC that is no longer active.

Of the cases in Vance County, 117 are associated with outbreaks at congregate living facilities including 46 cases associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home and 13 associated with Senior Citizens Home.

Of the 117 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 44 have been released from isolation.

Of the 385 community-based cases in Vance County, 171 have been released from isolation.

Eleven individuals in Vance County are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 37 deaths in Vance County, 14 of whom were associated with Pelican Health and 11 of whom were associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home.

Warren County:

There are 160 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases with one known result currently pending. Of the known positive cases, 140 are considered recovered.

No known individuals in Warren County are currently hospitalized with COVID-19.

There have been a total of five deaths in Warren County.

Health Department Information:

GVPH updates its website daily at approximately 5 p.m. with Vance and Granville COVID-19 statistics. Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information.

GVPH also emails updates about COVID-19 in Granville and Vance counties each evening. You can sign up to receive these emails at www.gvph.org/covid-19.

Warren County Health Department provides COVID-19 updates on its Facebook page (click here). You can also view more information online at www.warrencountyhd.com.

Confederate Monument and Statue Vance County

Vance Commissioners Vote 4-3 To Remove Confederate Statue

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In a special called meeting of the Vance County Commissioners Tuesday, June 30, a motion was made and voted on 4-3 to remove, store and preserve a Confederate statue located in front of the County Administration Building.

County Manager Jordan McMillen told WIZS News by email, “The board voted 4-3 this evening to remove, store and preserve the statue and monument.”

The Chairman of the Vance County Commissioners, Gordon Wilder, told WIZS News by phone the removal was being done for safety reasons.

Wilder said, “That is very simply how the motion went.”

Carolyn Faines, Yolanda J. Feimster, Leo Kelly, Jr. and Archie B. Taylor, Jr. voted in favor of the motion. Dan Brummitt, Tommy Hester and Wilder voted against the motion. The motion carried, and the Confederate memorial will be taken down at an undisclosed time.

Apparently there were credible threats for the forcible removal of the statue. Wilder said, “Any attempt by any group to take it down unprofessionally would be a safety issue and so therefore it was found by the board to be unsafe, and so there was a motion to take it down.”

For similar reasons of safety, it remains undisclosed and will remain undisclosed as to the time and date the statue and monument will be taken down and removed.

Wilder said, of himself and Brummitt and Hester, “We did not want to break the law. The letter of the law says it cannot be removed.”

NCGS 100-2.1. Protection of monuments, memorials, and works of art. Part (a) reads, “Approval Required. – Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, a monument, memorial, or work of art owned by the State may not be removed, relocated, or altered in any way without the approval of the North Carolina Historical Commission.” Part (b) and (c) list limitations on removal and exceptions respectively. You can click the NCGS above or anywhere here in this paragraph to see the full statute.

The monument and statue are owned by Vance County, and the monument and statue sit on Vance County owned property.

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Vance County Logo

Benny Finch Named Interim H-V Economic Development Director

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In a statement to WIZS News, Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen announced that Benny Finch has been named the interim director of the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission (HVEDC). Finch begins his new role next week.

Dennis Jarvis II, director of the HVEDC since November 2017, recently accepted a position as the executive director for the Jefferson County Development Authority in his home state of West Virginia. Jarvis’ last day with the HVEDC will be July 3.

Finch served as the director of the HVEDC for 25 years before retiring in 2009.

“I will recommend to the Vance County Board of Commissioners at their Monday meeting that an executive search firm be brought in to hire Dennis’ full-time replacement,” said McMillen. “I anticipate the process could take six months.”

VGCC Logo

VGCC’s 36th Annual Golf Tournament Set for September

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College is getting ready for its 36th Annual Endowment Fund Golf Tournament, which is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15, 2020, at the Henderson Country Club. The tournament was delayed from its traditional spring date due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, Gupton Services, Inc., of Henderson will serve as the event’s presenting sponsor for the first time.

All proceeds from the tournament support the mission of the college and fund student scholarships. 

“Thanks to the incredible generosity of golfers and sponsors from our community, the VGCC golf tournament has raised more than a million dollars since its inception in 1985,” said VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais. “With the strong support of Gupton Services leading the way, we can look forward to another successful event that will give us more resources to support VGCC students.”

Gupton Services is a commercial roofing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) company that traces its origins back to 1921 when C.P. Tanner established a sheet metal working plant in Henderson. The business became known as Tanner Roofing and, later, Owen Gupton Roofing. Greg Etheridge, a Henderson native, became its owner and president in 2019. 

“As a local small business, we are happy to take a leadership role in the community and to support Vance-Granville Community College,” Etheridge said. “If you look at the research, the benefits of postsecondary education and skills training to both the individual and our community are enormous. The VGCC Endowment Fund helps make education affordable and accessible to this region, and we must encourage that, in order to promote economic mobility and job security for our citizens.”

Other businesses and individuals supporting the tournament include: Kilian Engineering, the morning round sponsor; Altec, the afternoon round sponsor; MR Williams of Henderson, the scoreboard sponsor; Mast Drug Company, the pharmacy sponsor; Glen Raven of Norlina, the breakfast sponsor; First Citizens Bank Investor Services of Raleigh, the lunch sponsor; Duke Energy, the dinner sponsor; Charles Boyd Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC, the car sponsor; Wester Insurance Agency of Henderson, the driving range sponsor; John Nelms, Jr., of Raleigh, the trophy sponsor; Private Wealth Management of NC of Henderson, the putting green sponsor; Durham Coca-Cola Bottling Company, the soft drink sponsor; “Vanguard Sponsors” Bridgestone Bandag Tire, Carolina Commonwealth, CertainTeed, Coldwell Banker Advantage, Henderson Fruit and Produce, K-Flex, Novozymes North America, Inc., Robling Medical, Rose Oil Company and Universal Leaf North America U.S., Inc.; “Platinum Sponsors” Core & Main, Henderson Collegiate, Union Bank and Variety Wholesalers; and Vanco Outdoor Equipment, the tractor sponsor.

Businesses and individuals can still take advantage of sponsorship opportunities at various levels. Businesses may also donate products or premium items featuring the company’s logo to be placed in golfers’ gift bags or to be given as door prizes.

This year’s morning and afternoon rounds will begin with shotgun starts at 8 a.m. and at 1 p.m. The afternoon round is sold out, but there are openings in the morning round.

The format is four-person “Captain’s Choice Super Ball.” Golfers can form their own teams of four, or sign up and be put on a team. Teams will be handicapped based on handicaps supplied by each player. Trophies will be awarded for first net, second net and first gross. Other awards will be given for “closest to the pin” and “longest drive.”

A hole-in-one on Hole 9 will be rewarded with a car, courtesy of Charles Boyd Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC. A player who hits a hole-in-one (with a $10 donation) on Hole 16 will win $5,000, while another $5,000 will be awarded to the VGCC Endowment Fund.

The cost for one golfer to enter the tournament is $150. That fee includes greens fees, cart, meals, gift bag and practice balls.

A light breakfast, lunch and dinner (immediately following the afternoon round) will be served in the HCC clubhouse. A silent auction and door prize drawings will be held in conjunction with dinner.

For more information, contact Kay Currin at currink@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3409.