Tag Archive for: #wizsnews

Judge Deems Swain Drive Property Eligible For “Nuisance Abatement”

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A superior court judge has signed a consent judgment for a Chapter 19 nuisance abatement for a property on Swain Drive.

After a long history of disturbances, drug violations and numerous calls to the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, Judge John Dunlow’s judgment was the final step in a civil nuisance abatement case brought by the County of Vance on behalf of the State of North Carolina, according to a press statement late last week from the Department of Public Safety. “Chapter 19 of the North Carolina General Statutes defines ‘nuisance’ activities and provides for a civil remedy to abate such criminal acts and their detrimental impacts on the community,” the statement read.

The property, located at 398 Swain Drive, has been a problem for years, “causing the community to live in fear and constantly draining emergency services and law enforcement resources,” according to Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame.

“This remedy is a result of an outstanding investigation between Vance County officials, members of the ALE Nuisance Abatement Team and cooperation from the family members who owned this property,” Brame stated in the press release.

The property has been tied up in an estate with multiple heirs. The terms of the consent judgment relinquished the property deed to a family member, who in turn would remove all structures except the brick house.  All trash and debris would be removed from the property, and it may never be used for illegal activity again. The judgment ordered the property be vacated by April 1, and anyone on the property would be charged with trespassing.

Sheriff Brame expressed gratitude for the effort and outcome. “I appreciate the cooperation from the property owner as we worked to solve this problem and hope this successful resolution will ensure the community returns to a more peaceful life.”

“The nuisance abatement law provides a solution for citizens living in fear and for problem locations that strain law enforcement resources. These properties reduce the quality of life for community members.” said Scottie Shoaf, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Nuisance Abatement Team. “It was a pleasure to work with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and members from this community to bring a permanent resolution to this problem and I look forward to the positive changes this judgment will facilitate.”

The Local Skinny! What’s Up With Those Chestnut Street Intersections?

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Drivers who travel along Chestnut Street experience a variety of ways to proceed through intersections – with varying degrees of user-friendliness.

But John C. Rose got a few answers from Henderson Assistant City Manager Paylor Spruill and provided some updates to the stop, go, whoa situation along a fairly heavily traveled city street during the Monday segment of The Local Skinny!

The light with Chestnut and Montgomery streets died of old age, and city staff have not been able to find replacement parts to make a repair. So that light was retired, Spruill told WIZS in an email. And until a new light can be installed, drivers must contend with a temporary four-way stop at the intersection. “The city has included this among its capital improvement projects,” Spruill said, “and we anticipate it will receive funding in this coming budget year.”

Then there’s the sad story of the light at Chestnut and Young streets. Seems the nearby utility pole that supports this light was “fractured” in a traffic accident. It needs to be replaced and when it is replaced, the light can be remounted and should function properly.

According to Spruill, the utility company has scheduled that pole to be replaced this week.

The light at Chestnut and Horner streets operates on a timer, so drivers are at its mercy – Spruill said this intersection doesn’t use road sensors to detect the presence or absence of vehicles.

 

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TownTalk: Early Voting

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More than 300 Vance County residents have cast their ballots in the first two days of early voting in advance of the May 17 primary.

Early voting continues this week and next, with the final day being Saturday, May 14, according to information from the Vance County Board of Elections office.

A total of 195 votes were cast on Thursday, Apr. 28 – the first day of early voting. A total of 139 voters turned out Friday to the city’s Dr. Andrea L. Harris operations center, located at 900 Beckford Dr., Henderson.

There are about 17,000 registered voters in the county.

Not registered to vote yet? No problem. Bring appropriate documentation and a photo ID to the operations center during the voting hours for same-day registration.

Except for the last day of early voting, which is Saturday, May 14, the voting hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Saturday voting hours are 8 a.m to 3 p.m.

 

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Popular “Quittin’ Time” Returns To Downtown Oxford May 5

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Quittin’ Time in Oxford is set to kick off the 2022 season next week, inviting folks to hang around downtown after the workday ends to enjoy unwinding at a number of local eateries.

This is the second year for Quittin’ Time, and eight local restaurants and venues are gearing up to create small plates and drinks for their patrons during the 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. window that begins Thursday, May 5 and continues on Thursdays through the end of June.

Visit Uptown 101, The Hub, Main St. Oasis, Strong Arm Bakery and Kitchen, Tobacco Wood Brewery, Harvest, Milano’s and The Orpheum to purchase hand-crafted small plates, craft cocktails, irresistible desserts – there may be some of last year’s favorites back on the menu, too!

Menu offerings will change from week to week, so follow along on social media for hints on what’s to come!

There’s no need to RSVP for the weekly free event – the only cost is for what patrons choose to purchase from the different locations as they stroll through downtown Oxford.

Youth Tennis Clinic, Court Dedication At Fox Pond May 14

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Youth between the ages of 5 and 18 are invited to a free “skills and drills” tennis clinic on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at Fox Pond Park.

The Edmonds Tennis & Education Foundation will conduct the clinic from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Fox Pond tennis courts. No registration is required, but all participants must wear appropriate tennis shoes/sneakers.

The event will include a ceremony to dedicate a tennis court in honor of Henderson tennis standout Mary Lloyd Hodges Barbera, who died in 2015.

The Henderson City Council last year approved dedicating courts 1 and 2 in Barbera’s honor.

Barbera was a tennis phenom and was considered one of the state’s premier junior tennis players in the 1970’s and 1980’s. She was ranked #1 in the state in the girls’ 12-, 14- and 18-year-old divisions. She won two 4A state singles titles as a junior in 1981 and again in 1982 as a senior. She graduated from Vance Sr. High in 1983 and went on to Peace College, where, in 1984, she was named an All-American athlete by the National Junior College Athletic Association for Flight #1 in singles competition. She transferred to N.C. State University in 1985 and led the Wolfpack women’s tennis team with 16 wins in singles competition. She was inducted into the William Peace University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012.

Granville Spring Clean Recycle Event May 14 At Expo Center

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Granville County residents, mark your calendars for Saturday, May 14 to bring unwanted hazardous materials and a variety of recyclable items to the countywide Spring Clean event.

Teresa Baker, Granville County’s recycle coordinator, said the event will be held at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Expo Center is located at 4185 U.S. Hwy 15 South in Oxford.

Residents may bring items ranging from old paint and unused pesticides to batteries, electronics and books.

But it’s not just an event to get rid of unwanted items – the Humane Society of Granville County will be on hand to accept much-needed donations of dog and cat supplies, from crates to collars, pet food to flea and tick medication.

The county usually hosts a recycle event each spring and fall, and Baker has reported that tons of materials are diverted from landfills when they are collected for proper disposal at county events like this one.

Below is a complete list of vendors on site for the event:

  • Veolia: paints, household chemicals, light tubes, drain cleaners

Note: Limit 15 cans of paint per vehicle

  • C. Dept. of Agriculture Pesticide Division: pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, etc.
  • Shred Ace: onsite secure document shredding
  • GFL – scrap metal, junk lawnmowers, broken appliances, broken bicycles
  • Metech Electronic Recycling: laptops, computers, printers, fax, televisions, monitors
  • Granville County Sheriff’s Office: prescriptions/medications, sharps, flares, ammunition
  • Interstate Batteries: all types of batteries
  • Book Recycling & Polystyrene/Styrofoam

 

 

Representatives of the Humane Society will happily accept dog and cat food, crates, dog houses, leashes, collars, towels and flea and tick prevention.

Enjoy Highland Games In Oxford Saturday, Apr. 30

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The Central North Carolina Highland games will be held on Saturday on the campus of Central Children’s Home. Traditional Scottish athletic events like “tossing of the caber” will be demonstrated by skilled athletes from all over, and it’s all for a good cause.

Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the children’s home. And if there happens to be a kilt hanging in your closet, you’re welcome to wear it Saturday. The daylong event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Granville Tourism Director Angela Allen said it will be a fun time to watch and learn.

Tickets are $20 for those 16 and older; those 15 and under are admitted free. Contact event organizers at GamesAnnouncer@gmail.com.

Just what exactly IS a caber? It looks like a telephone pole and it weighs more than 150 pounds. And people toss it in the air and flip it so that it lands perpendicular to the ground. If that sounds a bit much, there’s also the N.C. Sheaf Toss Championship that will take place that day. That event involves throwing a 16-pound bundle of twine over a high bar.

The athletic events won’t be the only draw, however. A number of pipe bands will be performing, incorporating the sounds of bagpipes with drums and precision marching.

“If music and movement is your thing then you’ll want to take in the Celtic dance exhibition,” Allen said. “We’ve all heard of Riverdance. This will give you a chance to see individual dancers up close as they present traditional steps and dances,” she added.

There will be plenty of food and drink on hand throughout the day as well.

Visit www.visitgranvillenc.com for the schedule of events. The children’s home is located at 211 W. Antioch Dr., Oxford.