CMYK Vance farmers’ market more a possibility
Now it’s Obama’s Afghan war
Weight lifting team strong in Va. event
Local News, Page 8A
Opinion, Page 6A
Sports, Page 1B TUESDAY, December 8, 2009
Volume XCV, No. 287
(252) 436-2700
Parolee in murder case met criteria Henderson man sentenced to life plus 50 years in 1981 deaths of two By CAREY JOHNSON Staff Writer The Franklin Times
LOUISBURG — Parole officials say a Henderson man convicted of killing a Franklin County store owner and clerk decades ago met all of the criteria needed to be released from prison. And the victim’s family had all available avenues, by law, to express their concerns. A jury found Howard Lee Alston guilty of killing R.W. Bobby Foster and Jack Stainback on Feb. 9, 1981. Alston was sentenced to life in prison on a first-degree murder charge plus 50 more years on the charge of second-degree murder. However, when structured sentencing laws took effect in October of 1994, Alston because eligible for parole. Foster’s family members said they became increasingly frustrated with a parole process they say does not do enough to include input from the victim’s family. Pat Joyner, with the state Post Release Supervision and Parole Commission, said the commission is tasked with determining parole and followed protocol in the case. Alston, Joyner said, completed the parole commission’s Mutual Agreement Parole Program, which prepares inmates for
www.hendersondispatch.com
By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer
A text amendment to the zoning ordinance allowing for truck stops was quickly and unanimously recommended Monday afternoon by the Planning Board. The recommendation will now go to the City Council for approval. The amendment, if approved by the council, would allow for truck stops in the industrial districts. Board
‘We have a person that’s interested in a truck stop’ — Planning Director Erris Dunston Vice Chairwoman Marchita Vann made the motion, with board member Jimmie Ayscue seconding. Board member Ricky Easter asked whether someone wants to open a truck stop. “We have a person that’s interested in a truck stop,” City Plan-
ning Director Erris Dunston said, noting Henderson does not have any regulations defining such a facility. “So, they’ve got a place in mind?” Easter asked. “We don’t know,” Dunston replied. Board member Horace Bullock,
By AL WHELESS Daily Dispatch Writer Daily Dispatch/ASHLEY STEVEN AYSCUE
He’s making a list... Santa and Mrs. Claus wave from the top of the Henderson Fire Department’s platform truck while riding in the Henderson Christmas Parade Sunday afternoon. The event was sponsored by the Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission. To view or purchase photos, visit us on the Web at www.hendersondispatch.com.
A member of the Northern Vance Marching Vikings, left, plays his trombone and the Southern Vance Marching Raiders perform, right, during the Henderson Christmas Parade Sunday afternoon. To view or purchase photos, visit us on the Web at www.hendersondispatch.com.
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Details, 3A
Deaths Henderson James E. Blackwell, 82 Frank T. Wrenn Sr., 88 Kittrell Alice D. Hargrove, 57 Rougemont Doris L. McCray, 71
Obituaries, 4A
Please see WRIGHT, page 8A
By DAVID IRVINE Daily Dispatch Writer
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Rain likely
On a 5-1 vote, Danny Wright of District 3 was elected chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners Monday night. The dissenting vote was cast by Eddie Wright, who had already lost the chance to become chairman when his nomination by Deborah Brown failed in a 3-3 tie. Besides Eddie Wright, those voting for him to be chairman were Brown and Tim Pegram, who had seconded his nomination. Voting nay were Danny Wright, Scott Hughes and Dan Brummitt, who had served as chairman the previous year. Hughes had nominated Danny Wright for the chairmanship, saying that it would be a good way for him to spend his last year on the board. Taking the seat that he had occupied a number of times during his 27 years as a commissioner,
Richardson chairman of Warren board
Today
Wednesday
Please see TRUCK STOP, page 4A
D. Wright is Vance chairman
Weather
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noting he assumed a truck stop would be operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, asked whether this would be in violation of the noise ordinance. Dunston said there should not be any violations in the industrial non-park (I-2) district. Most of the I-2 districts are southwest, south and southeast of Welcome Avenue, along Bypass U.S. 1 from north of the Vanco Mill
Danny Wright, left, and Eddie Wright
Daily Dispatch/ASHLEY STEVEN AYSCUE
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50 cents
Planners quickly OK truck stop zoning
Please see PAROLEE, page 3A
Index
sign has been in Currin’s yard for the last several days. Currin, through documents submitted by the contractor, said the plan is to make repairs and restore the approximately 120-year-old Victorian residence to the original condition. “It should be noted that Mrs. Currin has been planning the restoration of this property for some time now and is eager to receive guidance” from the historic
WARRENTON — The Warren County Board of Commissioners held its annual organizational meeting in the Community Room of Warren County Memorial Library on Monday. County Attorney Karlene Turrentine called the organizational meeting to order and accepted nominations for the position of chairman. Barry Richardsome was nominated and unanimously re-elected to serve as chairman. At that point, Turrentine symbolically turned over the gavel to Richardson to preside over the remainder of the meeting. The commissioners voted to re-elect Ulysses S. Ross as vice-chairman and approved the following appointments: • Turrentine--County Attorney. • Angelina Kearney-Dunlap-Clerk to the Board. • Paula L. Pulley--Deputy Clerk to the Board. • Cindi Richardson, Bonnie C.
Please see HISTORIC, page 8A
Please see WARREN, page 4A
Daily Dispatch/ASHLEY STEVEN AYSCUE
A pair of tots wave as they ride in their electric car along the parade route during the Henderson Christmas Parade Sunday afternoon. A rider on a fire truck from the Kerr Lake Volunteer Fire Department throws candy to waiting children. To view or purchase photos, visit us on the Web at www.hendersondispatch.com.
Currin house renovation, church columbarium need Historic Preservation Commission OK By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer
OXFORD — A decrepit-looking residence in the heart of Oxford will undergo renovation, but the Oxford Historic Preservation Commission first has to give approval. The Preservation Commission is set to meet at 6 p.m. Thursday at City Hall, with one of the items being a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for Manie Currin to restore her home at 203
Main St. The other item is a request for a COA for Oxford Baptist Church, 147 Main St., to have a columbarium, which is a vault with niches containing urns of the ashes of the dead. A COA is an approval given to a local historic landmark or property in a historic district for alterations as proposed by the property owner. The COA assures maintenance of the property’s historic integrity. An S.E. Gregory Construction