CMYK Shalag plant welcoming set for Tuesday
Poll: Racial hope stagnant despite Obama
Webb soccer falls short in upset bid
From Page One, Page 3A
Opinion, Page 10A
Sports, Page 1B THURSDAY, November 5, 2009
Volume XCV, No. 259
(252) 436-2700
Pills taken in break-in at drugstore Drugs have street value of $18,000 By AL WHELESS Daily Dispatch Writer
An investigator said about 900 Hydrocodone pills worth $20 to $30 each on the block were stolen Monday by whomever broke into Southside Drug Co. on Nicholas Street between midnight and 8:10 a.m. That amounts to a street value of at least $18,000 for the missing narcotic pain-killer, according to the “average” figures supplied by a detective who has been with the Henderson Police Department nearly six years. “It’s the first time I’ve seen this type of MO (method of operation) since I’ve been here,” he said Tuesday. His reference was to the use of a blunt object to pry open a plexiglass window held in place by a steel bar at a drive-through attatched to the drugstore at 1005 Nicholas. No other damage was reported, and nothing else was taken, according to the investigator. “It’s highly probably that just one person could do all this,” he said. According to police records, Southside Drug was broken into once in 2001 and twice in 2002. An attempt was made in 2002 to enter the same store, but it failed. Asked if there have been B&E’s at similar businesses in Henderson recently, the detective said, “There was a break-in a couple of years ago at Mast Drug (at 501 S. Chestnut St.), but they didn’t go for drugs.”
www.hendersondispatch.com
But Zoning Board of Adjustment attaches conditions after hearing complaints By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer
The Zoning Board of Adjustment granted a special use permit to Richard Sanford Jr. to operate Peanut’s Service Center at 1803 Oxford Road, provided he meet conditions and after the board heard from City Councilman Garry Daeke, who stated his and residents’ complaints. One of the conditions set by the board is that fencing and screening of a chain link fence around the adjoining backyard storage area comply with codes in order to hide vehicles from view. Additionally, compliance with the screening and with additional screening facing the road has to
be completed within 60 days. And the number of vehicles on the property after hours has to be in compliance with codes. And the service center has to cease doing business by 9:30 p.m. The property is located in an area that is zoned neighborhood commercial. The request for the special use permit came Tuesday after City Planning Director Erris Dunston told the board that the service center is “totally out of compliance.” “There’s a screening issue with this property. There are cars still located on the property that are not tagged. There is an issue with the layout of the propPlease see PERMIT, page 4A
Daily Dispatch/WILLIAM F. WEST
The Zoning Board of Adjustment granted a special use permit to Richard Sanford Jr. to operate an automobile service facility at 1803 Oxford Road.
Critics fail to stop bar Owner promises ‘respectable kind of atmosphere’ By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer
Index
Weather Today Mixed
High: 62 Low: 36
Friday Plenty sun High: 59 Low: 29
Details, 3A
Deaths
50 cents
Auto service business gets permit
Contact the writer at awheless@hendersondispatch.com.
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Adoption Awareness Month
Daily Dispatch/ASHLEY STEVEN AYSCUE
Dozens of balloons are released into the air by foster and adoptive parents outside the Vance County Courthouse Wednesday afternoon after Judge J. Henry Banks read the National Adoption proclamation signed by President Barack Obama to observe Adoption Awareness Month. Each balloon represented 10 children currently in the foster care system in North Carolina who are available for adoption. The group released a total of 86 balloons with a card attached with information on how to contact the Vance County Social Services on how to adopt a child. There are currently 70 children in foster care in Vance County.
Warrenton Road Sewer Project to begin 120-day job gets under way Nov. 16, is below budget by 20 percent By AL WHELESS Daily Dispatch Writer
Construction is scheduled to begin Nov. 16 on the Warrenton Road Kittrell Sewer Project, Vance County ManDanny A. Herion Jr., 23 ager Jerry Ayscue told the Board of Raleigh Wilma E. Cordaro, 86 Commissioners Monday night. “Close coordination with the Obituaries, 4A businesses, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Progress Energy, the City of Henderson, Public Service Gas, the engineer and the contractor is essential in this project,” Ayscue said. He estimated that the work will
be completed within 120 days, once construction begins. On Sept. 7, the commissioners awarded the construction contract for the Warrenton Road Sewer Project to Hendricx Barnhill, Inc. for its low bid of $168,971. Ayscue said the bid was 20 percent below budget. Part of the funding for the project includes a $115,000 grant from the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center. According to the county manager, the grant is intended to spur the creation of jobs. He said four businesses in the project area expect to add 12 jobs because of the new sewer line. Ayscue has previously told the commissioners that the county must pay half of the total project cost.
“There’s a tremendous need for sewer services in that general area,” he said in May of 2008. “Some of these businesses have struggled with the need for sewer service for many years,” Ayscue added. “This is a great opportunity.” Also on Monday night, the Board of Commissioners voted to allow the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments to finish rehabilitating a home at 140 Allen Road in Dabney by using $12,900 of Community Development Block Grant funds, along with about $40,000 in North Carolina Housing Finance Agency funds. In an Oct. 28 letter to Ayscue, Julie A. Reid, community development administrator for the Please see SEWER, page 4A
The Zoning Board of Adjustment granted a special use permit to John A. Jackson Jr. to open a sports bar at 165 U.S. 158 Bypass near the junction of Ruin Creek Road. Jackson, in rebutting a minister and a resident against the proposed business, said, “It’s going to be a respectable kind of atmosphere.” “If you’re looking for a place to go hang out and get drunk and slobber and harass other customers, no, that’s not what I have in mind. That’s not going to be me,” Jackson told the board, which met on Tuesday. And Jackson said he will manage the business and will have a membership drive and screen the applicants. “And if it’s not what I want, I’ll reject it, plain and simple,” Jackson said. Jackson added that he eventually plans to have a place to have shag lessons and shag dancing and a meeting area for local groups. The board said Jackson would have to keep the maximum capacity of the building to 104 persons based on the site plan. The building, which is located in a highway commercial district, was formerly a car rental business. The building is next to an adult bookstore, which the Rev. Frank Sossamon was quick to point out to the board while representing the West Hills/West Creek/158 Bypass Community Watch. “We are just sort of confused and bewildered,” Sossamon said, labeling the proposed sports bar “an enemy of good” and calling for the adult bookstore to be closed and moved away. “We are hoping to have a wholesome area,” Sossamon said. “We’re trying to keep it that way. When people come up 158 Bypass, the last thing we want them to see is what they see when they enter Henderson. And that’s a tavern and an adult bookstore. And that says a whole lot about us.” Sossamon said the community he was speaking for is comprised Please see BAR, page 3A