Tag Archive for: #warrencountynews

U.S. Department of Justice

Former NFL & Warren Co. Player Sentenced on Drug, Money Laundering Charges

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

A Raleigh man was sentenced today to 168 months in prison for conspiring with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute over 1,000 kilograms of marijuana and engaging in a money-laundering conspiracy. He was also ordered by the court to forfeit $2,708,000 in laundered drug proceeds.

According to court documents, Richard Dwight Alston, 39, engaged in a multi-year and cross-country conspiracy to traffic in large amounts of marijuana and to distribute that high-grade marijuana to associates in Raleigh.

After several years of investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Internal Revenue Service, on November 2, 2017, federal agents executed a search warrant for apartments that were suspected to be stash locations for Alston’s large-scale marijuana organization. During the search, agents located over 40 pounds of marijuana and $371,670.00 in United States currency.

Agents were then able to arrange for the delivery of Alston’s next drug shipment on November 6, 2017. On that date, agents arrested two individuals who were responsible for transporting the marijuana intended for Alston and others. A search of their vehicle revealed seven large duffel bags containing almost 200 kilograms of marijuana, along with $67,814 in United States currency. A financial investigation conducted by the IRS revealed that Alston had laundered drug proceeds of over $2.7 million through a business bank account over a period of several years.

The investigation was part of OCDETF Operation Pick Six. An Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.

Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II.  The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) led the investigation, with assistance from the Raleigh Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura S. Howard prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the U.S. Department of Justice’s website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:20-CR-00005-M.

Horse Pasture Management

Warren Co. Coop. Extension Announces Two-Part Horse Pasture Management Series

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-Information courtesy Warren County Cooperative Extension

The Warren County Cooperative Extension Center announces an upcoming Pasture Management for Horse Owners Webinar Series via Zoom platform. Sessions will be held on Thursday, August 13 and Thursday, August 20, 2020, from 12 to 1 p.m.

This two-part series will provide information on forage variety options, preparation, planting and establishment.

Please register online at https://go.ncsu.edu/equinepasturemamagement

Coley Springs COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing Event in Warrenton – August 6

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-Information courtesy Warren County Government

A COVID-19 drive-thru testing event will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2020, from 4 until 7 p.m. at Coley Springs Missionary Baptist Church (224 Parktown Rd. in Warrenton, NC).

No appointments are needed. Testing is available for the uninsured and insured with no co-pay. Please bring your ID and insurance card if you have one.

To learn more, please contact:

HOPE Regional Medical Clinic (252) 517-9090

Warren County Health Department (252) 257-1185

COVID-19 Testing

Warren Co. Health Dept., Vidant Health to Offer COVID Testing Event

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-Information courtesy Warren County Government

The Warren County Health Department is partnering with Vidant Health to offer a COVID-19 Community Testing Event at  Olive Grove Missionary Baptist Church (915 Eaton Ferry Road, Littleton, NC) July 27 – 29, 2020.

Testing will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. on Monday, July 27 and Wednesday, July 29, and from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28.

Appointments are not required, and no fees will be collected for the test. Testing is available for those with and without insurance. For those with coverage, Vidant will bill the insurance company; there are no co-pays.

For more information on the testing event, please contact Crystal Dempsey at (252) 702-2535. To learn more about staying safe, visit vidanthealth.com/safecommunity or call (252) 847-8000.

Ridgeway Cantaloupe Festival

Ridgeway Cantaloupe 5k Run/Walk Scheduled for July 25; Annual Festival Canceled

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-Information courtesy Tommy Tucker, Ridgeway Cantaloupe 5k

The seventh annual Ridgeway Cantaloupe 5k Run/Walk will be held this Saturday, July 25, 2020, at 8 a.m. The rural and flat 5k route, a USAT&F certified course, starts and ends at 101 Ridgeway-Drewry Road in Norlina, near the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department.

Registration is $30, limited to 100 participants, required by July 24 and available online only at clockworkracetiming.com.

There will be no race-day registration, and packet pickup will be held on Saturday morning only beginning at 6:30 a.m.

Race day:

  • Refreshments *may be* provided, but race parking is at the finish, so bring your favorite post-race food/drink
  • Results will be based on net (chip start to chip finish) time
  • Runners will start in groups of 10 or less at intervals sufficient to space out on the course
  • Race organizers hope to have T-shirts available for pick-up at the race, but if not, an email will be sent
  • As in previous years, bib numbers will have disposable timing chips affixed to the back of them (do not remove this)
  • The festival has been canceled for this year, so the race is the only event

At this time, face coverings will be required pre-and-post event should social distancing not be possible.

Warren Co. Flag

Local Agencies Partner to Provide Care to Sick and Injured Pets

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-Press Release, Warren County Government

Warren County EMS, Warren County Animal Ark and Vance County Animal Services recently partnered to ensure that all residents of Warren County are able to receive emergency care in their time of need – including four-legged residents.

Through a partnership created by Vance County Animal Services and Mona Pants Foundations, an area non-profit whose goal is to provide ballistic vests to law enforcement K-9s and oxygen masks to local first responders, Warren County EMS and Warren County Fire Departments have received 25 pet rescue oxygen mask kits. 

The 501(c)(3) organization, based in Zebulon, received a request on behalf of Warren County EMS to facilitate receiving the pet-oxygen rescue masks after noting recent animal fatalities in fires. In less than four hours, Mona Pants Foundation raised enough funds to procure the oxygen mask kits through donations only. 

A mask kit will be placed on every Warren County EMS unit as well as given to every Warren County Fire Department.

Warren Co. Arts Council

Grant Application Process to Support Local Artists Now Open

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-Press Release, Warren County Arts Council

Artists in all disciplines are eligible to apply for grants to support their professional and artistic development through a partnership of the North Carolina Arts Council and the Warren County Arts Council, Vance County Arts Council, Halifax County Arts Council, and Franklin County Arts Council.

Artist Support Grants will be distributed to eligible applicants by the Warren County Arts Council in the following counties: Warren, Vance, Halifax, Northampton, Granville, and Franklin Counties.

Applications for the grants are available at www.ncarts.org/artist-support-grant or at www.warrencountyartsnc.org. The deadline is October 1, 2020. Grant awards will not exceed $1,200. Artists may only submit one application.

A virtual workshop discussing the grant guidelines will be held at a future date. Please follow the Warren County Arts Council website and Facebook page for that information. Guidelines for grant applications can also be found at www.ncarts.org/artist-support-grant.

Emerging or established artists are encouraged to apply to support a range of professional and artistic development including the creation of work, improvement of business operations, or expanding capacity to bring work to new audiences. Artist fees are also allowable expenses.

Artists in all disciplines are eligible to apply. To learn more about the Artist Support Grants visit www.ncarts.org/artist-support-grant.

“The Artist Support Grants program responds to the impact of the pandemic by ensuring that artists and the state’s arts infrastructure have the resources needed to help our state make a strong social and economic recovery,” said Wayne Martin, executive director of the North Carolina Arts Council.  

“We are honored to serve as the lead arts council in this new initiative,” said Charla Duncan, Chair of the Warren County Arts Council. “Working with our regional partners in this new consortium of rural counties gives us a chance to impact local artists in ways we haven’t been able to do before.”

For more information or questions, please contact the Warren County Arts Council at warrencountyartscouncil@gmail.com or by calling Charla Duncan, Chair of the Warren County Arts Council, at 336-686-2676. The Warren County Arts Council can be found online at warrencountyartsnc.org and on Facebook and Instagram at @wcartcouncil.

Warren County Logo

Warren County Board Opens FY 21 Non-Profit Grant Funding Cycle

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-Press Release, Warren County Government

Warren County is now accepting applications for its FY 21 non-profit grand funding cycle. The FY 21 budget allocates $40,000 for this program. The grant program accepts applications on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. Interested organizations are encouraged to apply early. 

“I am excited that the Board of Commissioners has chosen to fund non-profits in our annual budget,” stated Vincent Jones, County Manager. “It allows the County to reach different segments of our community that may not be reached by our government services. That can run the gamut from recreation to arts to social services, and that’s a win for the County.”

Warren County adopted its current funding for local non-profit agencies policy in 2014. Funded services through this program must be equally available to all residents. 

For more information, contact the Warren County Manager’s Office at 252-257-3115 or visit the website at http://warrencountync.com/776/County-Non-Profit-Grant-Fun

4-H Logo

Warren Co. 4-H Palooza Offering Summer Fun to Local Youth

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-Information courtesy Warren County 4-H

The Warren County 4-H Summer Palooza 2o2o program will offer eight different classes to local youth. A few will be offered via ZOOM, and others will be offered offline.

Kits will be provided and can be picked up from the Warren County Cooperative Extension office at 158 Rafters Lane in Warrenton. Please call before arriving – (252) 257-3640.

Families must register and pay through Eventbrite. If not enrolled in 4-H in 2020, families must also sign-up through 4-H Online. If you need assistance, please contact us at (252) 257-3640 or email cmsmith2@ncsu.edu.

Click here to view 4-H Summer Palooza brochure

Upcoming Summer Palooza Classes:

Take it Outside Tuesday

Ms. Tawanica Bullock will facilitate a great program to allow youth to explore the beauty around them through the lens of a camera. Classes will be held July 14 – August 4, 2020. The deadline to register is July 6, 2020! Fee: $7

Click here to learn more

4-H Pen Buddy Project

Who remembers Pen Pals? This year, Warren County 4-H will implement 4-H Pen Buddy where local 4-H’ers will connect with Warren County Senior Citizens or seasoned adults! All participants will receive essential items to make this new project a hit!

Click here to learn more

Read! Lead! Succeed! 4-H Ambassadors

Teens, are you bored? Are you looking for something meaningful to do? Do you need service hours before graduating? We would love for you to sign up to be a 4-H Ambassador! Teens must be responsible, excited and willing to read to younger youth virtually! Must attend training/orientation to participate!

Click here to learn more

Read! Lead! Succeed! Youth Participants! 

Read! Lead! Succeed! is a virtual book club led by trained teenagers and will meet every Thursday, July 16 – August 13, 2020! Youth participants will be engaged through books and magazines! Space is limited. Fee: $15 Ages: 5 -10

Click here to learn more

DIY 4-H Cool Crafts Camp 

This three-day (July 15, 16, 17) virtual DIY 4-H Cool Crafts Camp is designed for youth ages 5 – 9 only! Youth participants will pick up a 4-H Cool Crafts Kit filled with craft materials to create and design their own creation! Space is limited to 12 youth! Deadline to register: July 8. Fee: $7

Click here for more details

NC Coop Extension

Warren/Vance Coop. Extension Announces New ‘Backyard AG 101’ Series

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-Information courtesy Warren/Vance County Cooperative Extension

Backyard AG 101: Online Seminar Series

Warren/Vance County Cooperative Extension is pleased to announce that a new series of the popular Backyard Ag 101 classes will begin Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at 10 a.m.

Seven additional sessions are scheduled for every other Wednesday through late September. All sessions will meet on the Zoom video conference platform, which is a free app. More details and the registration link are available at http://go.ncsu.edu/backyardag101.

Topics to be covered in this series include:

  • Perennials/herbs
  • Pruning
  • Poultry
  • Beekeeping
  • Composting
  • Weed ID
  • Livestock Health

Join a Virtual Chat With Master Gardener Volunteers

You are invited to join Master Gardener volunteers for a fun and informative online chat each Thursday at 2 p.m. through the end of July.

Each week, Warren/Vance Cooperative Extension will offer a brief featured presentation, timely gardening tips, links to on-line resources, and answers to your questions. For more details and to register, please visit http://go.ncsu.edu/mastergardenerchat.