Tag Archive for: #warrencountynews

Warren’s Five County Beef Tour Postponed

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-Information courtesy Matthew Place, Livestock & Field Crop Agent, Warren Co. Cooperative Extension

The annual Five County Beef Tour, originally scheduled for Warren County on Saturday, March 28, 2020, has been postponed due to current health concerns. A new date will be announced as soon as available.

For more information, please contact Matthew Place at (252) 257-3640, mbplace@ncsu.edu or visit https://go.ncsu.edu/warren_beef.

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Keep Warren Co. Beautiful Committee to Hold Community Training

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-Press Release, Warren County Government

Warren County is working towards becoming an affiliate of the national organization Keep America Beautiful, an organization that works to end litter, improve recycling, and beautify communities.

On Tuesday, March 31, 2020, Isaac Nicholson, a representative from Keep America Beautiful, will be conducting a training held at the Warren County Armory Civic Center. The training will be held from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; the first hour is for the general session and open to the public.

The Keep Warren County Beautiful Committee was organized by the Warren County Board of Commissioners to address the problem of litter on roadsides throughout the county and to educate citizens on the importance of proper garbage disposal and the impact that untidy roads have on community members, visitors, and potential for economic development.

The goal of the Keep Warren County Beautiful Committee is to ensure that local government, citizens, and visitors work on community solutions to address the problem of littering and identify opportunities for beautification efforts in Warren County by initiating diverse partnerships with a wide array of community stakeholders.

The Warren County Armory Civic Center is located at 501 US-158 Business East, Warrenton. For more information, contact Warren County Public Works at (252) 257-3795.

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Warren County Public Health Staff Stress Prevention for COVID-19

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-Press Release, Warren County Government 

Warren County public health staff are advising citizens to take the same precautions they would normally take for the flu or any other respiratory illness in response to concerns about COVID-19 (also being called coronavirus).

Some of these prevention measures include washing your hands frequently with soap and water, disinfecting touched objects and surfaces, and staying home if you are sick.

Staff at the Warren County Public Health Department and Warren County Emergency Services are working together and taking direction from the federal and state government in regard to COVID-19. The NC Division of Public Health has a weekly call for local health departments, and the Warren County Health Department is following the protocol process that is set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the NC Department of Public Health.

Warren County Emergency Services is actively participating with NC Office of Emergency Medical Services and NC Emergency Management in receiving regular updates. Emergency Services is also working with E-911 on the protocol for call intake in regard to COVID-19.

The Warren County Health Department Epidemiology (Epi) Team works together when communicable disease issues arise that could impact our community. Staff have been meeting regularly to address protocol involving COVID-19. The Health Department is not passing out masks to the public. If you think you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, the flu, or any other respiratory illness, please contact your doctor.

Most importantly, while the importance of preventative measures is stressed to combat any communicable disease (not just COVID-19), Public Health and Emergency Services staff are urging citizens not to panic and reassuring the community that Warren County healthcare and emergency professionals have the proper protocols in place to handle the concerns involving COVID-19.

For more information, please contact Public Health Director Dr. Margaret Brake at (252) 257-6000.

Warren County Schools Announces Dates for Kindergarten Registration

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-Information courtesy Warren County Schools

Warren County Schools will hold Kindergarten registration sessions for the 2020-21 school year during the month of April. A child must be 5 years old by August 31, 2020, to register for Kindergarten.

Registration Dates:

Mariam Boyd Elementary: Tuesday, April 21

Vaughan Elementary: Thursday, April 23

Northside K-8: Wednesday, April 29

Registration times are 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. and 1 until 5 p.m. on the date specified for each school.

To register, please take your child and the following required documents to the school in the attendance zone of your residence.

Required Documentation:

  • Official Birth Certificate
  • Social Security Card
  • Immunization Record
  • Proof of Residence
  • Parent’s Photo ID

ALL applications must be completed prior to registration. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Monica Click Pre-K Coordinator for Warren County Schools. She can be reached at 252-257-3184, extension 2330 or by email at mclick@warrenk12nc.org.

Five County Beef Tour Coming to Warren Co.

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-Information courtesy Matthew Place, Livestock & Field Crop Agent, Warren Co. Cooperative Extension

The annual Five County Beef Tour is coming to Warren County on Saturday, March 28, 2020. The tour will feature three farm stops, including Smith Creek Angus, BB Organic Farm LLC and Sunrise Ridge Farm.

While at the farms, participants will hear from different specialists involved with the cattle industry. A catered lunch will be provided to participants at the end of the tour.

Participants will depart from the Warren County Cooperative Extension Center located at 158 Rafters Lane in Warrenton shortly after 8 a.m. The event will conclude at approximately 2 p.m. Limited transportation from the Extension Center to the farms is available.

For more information or to register, contact Matthew Place at (252) 257-3640, mbplace@ncsu.edu or visit https://go.ncsu.edu/warren_beef.

U.S. Department of Justice

Warren Co. Man Sentenced to Six Years on Child Pornography Charges

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that yesterday, Chief United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle, sentenced MICHAEL WYATT COLLIUS, 23, of Norlina, NC to 72 months’ imprisonment, followed by a five-year term of supervised release. COLLIUS was also ordered to pay more than $68,000 in restitution to known child pornography victims identified through the investigation.

COLLIUS pled guilty pursuant to a plea agreement on November 13, 2019, to one count of receipt of child pornography.

In September 2016, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Raleigh, North Carolina, assisted the Spanish National Police Cyber Child Pornography Group II, Technology Investigation Unit, with an investigation into Dropbox users sharing child pornography. Investigators were able to determine that one of the accounts responsible for sharing child pornography belonged to COLLIUS.

Following additional investigation, a search warrant was obtained for COLLIUS’ residence. On May 3, 2018, investigators with the FBI and Warren County Sheriff’s Office executed the warrant and seized COLLIUS’ phone. A later forensic review recovered over 800 images and over 200 videos containing child pornography. COLLIUS agreed to speak with investigators at the time of the search and admitted to receiving, sharing and possessing child pornography.

This case is part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, a national program aimed at ensuring that criminals exploiting children are effectively prosecuted by making full use of all available law enforcement resources at every level.

For more information about this important national initiative, go to www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Raleigh, North Carolina, conducted the investigation of this case with assistance from the Spanish National Police Cyber Child Pornography Group II, Technology Investigation Unit and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Bryan M. Stephany represented the government.

Warren Co. Memorial Library Celebrates Women’s History Month

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-Press Release, Warren County Government 

Warren County Memorial Library celebrates Women’s History Month through literacy, culture, and the arts. The highlight will be three special programs featuring scholars offering a unique look into women’s history. In addition to these programs, the library will have celebratory book displays, bookmarks, reading lists and activities.

Joanna Liguz will host an Exhibit and Mini-Workshop on March 6, 2020, from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. (Photo courtesy Warren Co. Govt.)

The first of the three featured programs will be a Quilt Exhibit and Mini-Workshop on March 6, 2020, from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Local quilter Joanna Liguz of Material Blessings will host this exhibit and workshop. Stop by to see several beautiful examples of her work and learn the basics of quilting by watching as she quilts an example quilt square.

The second featured program will be Women of Dance on March 16, 2020, from 12 until 1 p.m. Vernita “Nana Vee” Terry presents this look into the history and creative influences of several women of color who became leading figures in the world of dance.

Vernita “Nana Vee” Terry will present “Women of Dance” on March 16, 2020, from 12 until 1 p.m. (Photo courtesy Waren Co. Govt.)

The third and final featured program will be “The Crusade Against Illiteracy in the United States: The Life and Times of Cora Wilson Stewart” on March 24, 2020, from 3 until 4 p.m. Long before it became popular to decry the problem of adult illiteracy, Cora Wilson Stewart was leading public crusades to solve this problem.

In this program, Road Scholar Willie Nelms will describe Stewart’s life, her role as a woman, and the literacy movement. This project is made possible by funding from the North Carolina Humanities Council, a statewide nonprofit & affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views expressed by this program do not necessarily represent those of the North Carolina Humanities Council.

To learn more about Women’s Month 2020, visit the official website: https://womenshistorymonth.gov/. To view the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ celebration of the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting women’s constitutional right to vote, go to https://www.ncdcr.gov/about/featured-programs/she-changed-world-north-carolinawomen-breaking-barriers.

Road Scholar Willie Nelms will present “The Crusade Against Illiteracy in the United States: The Life and Times of Cora Wilson Stewart” on March 24, 2020, from 3 until 4 p.m. (Photo courtesy Warren Co. Govt.)

For more information on library programs, go to www.wcmlibrary.org for event details and additional programs offered. All library programs are free and open to the public. Visit the library for more information and resources at 119 S. Front Street, Warrenton, NC 27589.

 

U.S. Department of Justice

Deported Alien, Found in Warren Co., Indicted on Illegal Reentry Charges

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that a federal grand jury in Wilmington has returned indictments charging OMAR LABRA-TREJO, age 50, of Mexico, and JOSE GUILLERMO LEIVA-GALVAN, age 34, of Honduras, with Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien.

If convicted of illegal reentry, LABRA-TREJO, previously deported twice and found in Warren County, would face maximum penalties of two years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

LEIVA-GALVAN, previously deported and found in New Hanover County, is alleged to have been previously removed subsequent to an aggravated felony conviction (felony larceny). Therefore, if convicted, he would face a maximum imprisonment term of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictments are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The cases are being investigated by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations.

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Tax Assistance Available for Veterans, Elderly/Disabled Warren Residents

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-Press Release, Warren County Government

The Warren County Tax Administrator encourages all eligible Warren County residents to apply for appropriate tax assistance programs.

Disabled Veterans Homestead Exclusion Program
The Disabled Veterans Homestead Exclusion program excludes the first $45,000 of assessed value for specific real property or a manufactured home from property taxes; this program is for permanent residents that own their property (name must be on deed).

A disabled veteran is defined as a veteran whose character of service at separation was honorable or under honorable conditions and who has a total and permanent service-connected disability or who received benefits for specially adapted housing under 38 U.S.C. 2101.

There are no age or income requirements for the Disabled Veterans Homestead Exclusion program. Applicants for this exclusion must meet the following requirements:

• be an honorably discharged veteran who has a 100% total and permanent disability that is service-connected or be the unmarried surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran;
• be certified by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs of the permanent total disability that is service-connected;
• be a qualifying veteran with specially adapted housing per 38 U.S.C. 101.

This benefit is also available to a surviving spouse (who has not remarried) of either:

• a disabled veteran as defined above;
• a veteran who died as a result of a service-connected condition whose character of service at separation was honorable or under honorable conditions, or
• a service member who died from a service-connected condition in the line of duty and not as a result of willful misconduct.

Elderly or Disabled Exclusion Program
This program is available to permanent residents of Warren County age 65 or older, or permanent residents that are totally and permanently disabled individuals. Residents 65 or older or that are permanently disabled must also meet the Annual Income Eligibility Limit. The Annual Income Eligibility Limit is set every year by the NC Department of Revenue. The limit for this year is $31,000 for income received from all sources during the prior calendar year.

Qualifying owners must apply with the Warren County Tax Assessor’s Office between January 1 and June 1. If you qualify, you can receive an exclusion of the taxable value of your residence of either $25,000 or 50% (whichever is greater).

As of January 1 of the year for which the exclusion is claimed, applicants will need to meet the following requirements:

• The applicant’s name must be on the deed or title to the residence.

• The residence must be the applicant’s primary residence.

• The applicant must be a North Carolina resident.

• The applicant must be at least 65 years of age or totally and permanently disabled. Total and permanent disability is a disability that substantially hinders a person from obtaining gainful employment.

• If claiming disability, the applicant must provide proof of the disability in the form of a certificate from a physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina or a governmental agency authorized to determine qualification for disability benefits.

• Meet the combined spousal income eligibility limit, *whether or not both spouses are on the title. The income determination is described below.

Documentation that shows the applicant’s income is required. For married applicants living with their spouse, the income from both spouses must be included on the application even though the property is not in both names. Income from all sources must be listed on the application, with the exception of gifts or inheritances received from a spouse, lineal (direct) ancestor or lineal descendant. Examples of income include disability payments, IRA distributions, pensions and annuities, social security benefits, capital gains, and veteran benefits. This example does not include all sources of income.

More information on reporting income is included in the cover letter sent with the Tax Relief Application Packets. The packets will be made available after January 1, 2020, for the 2020 tax year.

For more information, contact the Warren County Tax Administrator at 252-257-4158.

Potential Warren County Grocery Store Seeks Community Input

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-Press Release, Warren County Government 

A grocery store considering opening in the former Just Save location, East Macon Street, Warrenton, wants to know what Warren County citizens consider most important in a grocery store.

Citizens are invited to attend a meeting at the Warren County Armory Civic Center at 6:30 p.m. on March 5, 2020, where they will be allowed to voice their opinions and preferences.

How do citizens choose a grocery store? How important are convenience and quality? Please join to share ideas about what will make a successful local grocery store.

For more information, contact Stacy Woodhouse, Warren County Economic Development Commission Director, 252-257-3114, or Robert Davie, Town of Warrenton Administrator, 252-257-1122.