2012: year in review
January 9, 2013
Yorkshire Terriers (photos clockwise from bottom) Willie and Sassy walk with their owner, Mike Warren, along College Street in Oxford; Ania Otts, 8, and her brother Jayson Otts, 7, cool off on a warm afternoon as they have a squirt gun fight at their Dabney home; Wendell Ligon reacts to one of the habanero peppers he ate as part of the hot pepper eating contest in Oxford during the N.C. Hot Sauce Contest; William O’Hara sprays an asphalt sealcoating on the parking area at Bobbitt Grocery on Bobbitt Road; Kim Jackson snuggles with chihuahuas Susie and Patty at the Vance County Animal Shelter; Allie Rose Bliss pulls off her helmet as her team switches from offense to defense; and Atos Zamperla, the Italian Rocket, performs at the Vance County Regional Fair.
Photos by Mark Dolejs
Who we were and what we did in the Tri-County
2
Year In Review
The Daily Dispatch
ESTABLISHED
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
1864
ESTABLISHED
566 Ruin Creek Road, Henderson, NC
196 Buffalo Mill Road, Kittrell, NC
BUFFALOE MILLING CO., INC MOSS’ CORN MEAL PRODUCTS 252-438-8637 ESTABLISHED
1881
www.mariaparham.com MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch Staff Renovations and upgrades are planned for the Henderson Water Reclamation Facility on West Andrews Avenue over the next two years.
Nutbush renovations finally take steps toward reality DISPATCH STAFF
VANCE COUNTY SCHOOLS 252-492-2127
www.vcs.k12.nc.us
ESTABLISHED
1908
The City of Henderson made progress on two important development fronts in 2012, and it began implementation of a vital change to its political process. Steps toward a ground-breaking that will signal the start of up to two years of heavy-duty construction on long-planned renovations at the Nutbush water reclamation facility culminated in a bidding process that continues this month. City Manager Ray Griffin said those steps took place amidst other strides in tackling the city’s aging infrastructure issue. “In 2012, we made major strides in dealing with infrastructure,” he said, noting work at the Sandy Creek pump station, ongoing work to replace twoinch waterlines and the uptake in development and use of radio-read meters as examples. The biggest project by far, and destined to dominate the landscape of city infrastructure gains for the next 18 to 24 months once ground is broken, is construction at Nutbush. The Nutbush facility is slated to receive up to $16.9 million in upgrades that feature construction of an oxidation ditch system bringing the processing of city sewage up to date on standards for state-ofthe-art water reclamation. It will eliminate costly
and potentially hazardous lime-treatment steps and bring the facility into compliance with expected changes in federal processing standards. Henderson inked a second deal on water use with Vance County in July that fuels the Phase 2 construction of the county water system. When finished, it will turn on 175,000 gallons of daily use to communities north of the city. The elections of city council members and the mayor are now organized according to staggered four-year terms following the May election for mayor and the full slate of eight aldermen. Half of the city council terms will be up for re-election in November and half, plus the mayoral seat, are set for re-election in November 2015. Following a plan adopted by the council in late 2011, the at-large seats for Wards 1 and 2 and the ward seats for Wards 3 and 4 were filled for a twoyear term, shortened because the council delayed the November 2011 election to May. Conversely, the ward seats for Wards 1 and 2 and the at-large seats for Wards 3 and 4 were elected for terms of four years. In future elections, all terms for the council and mayor will be for four-year periods, with their elections held on the same schedule that alternates every two years.
1940s
326 North Garnett Street Henderson, NC
Wester Insurance Agency
ESTABLISHED
ESTABLISHED
Contact the writer at mfisher@hendersondispatch.com.
1020 S. Garnett Street, Henderson, NC
252-438-8165
252-438-4143
HENDERSON
BY MARTIN FISHER
P.O. Box 7001 (1724 Graham Avenue) Henderson, NC 27536
1925
HENDERSON LAUNDRY 252-438-6147
252-438-8099
1914
ESTABLISHED
1941
MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch Staff Installation of water lines along Warrenton Road are part of the first phase of the county’s water system project.
304 S. Chestnut Street, Henderson, NC
VANCE COUNTY
Long-awaited water flowing; Pegram exits after 48 years BY ALLIE RAE MAUSER
252-436-2700 ESTABLISHED
1922
1445 Dabney Drive Henderson, NC Open Mon.-Sat. 10am-8pm
252-438-4212
DISPATCH STAFF
Vance County reached a major milestone last year in the effort to provide all citizens with fresh tap water when construction on Phase 1 of the county water project began. “We have accomplished a number of things this calendar year,” Terry Garrison said during December’s board meeting of the county commissioners. “One major accomplishment is that we now have water flowing through pipes.” Work on Phase 2 of the project is moving forward, and is estimated to begin as early as April. Rock was struck during construction of Phase 1A, providing some setbacks, and adding costly provisions to the project. Permits are currently in the works for 2A and 2B, but the process for approval is detailed and lengthy. Upon approval of all permits, Vance County can proceed with the bidding process for construction of 2A and 2B. In a recent tabulation, 830 people in phase 1A have signed up to receive water, 364 sign-ups have been received for 2A, and 368 for 2B. Long-time county commissioner Tim Pegram ended a 48-year service, the longest in the state, when he retired in December. Pegram was once the owner of Henderson Truss Supply, and many remember him as a sharp businessman. John Watkins purchased the truss supply com-
pany in 1996. He spoke of hearing Pegram’s name mentioned often in conversation. “People still talk about him and the truss business,” Watkins said. “Tim was a businessman, and I like his style. “When he told you something, you could take it to the bank.” Another commissioner noted for his dedication and contribution to Vance County this year was Garrison, enshrined in August to the Hall of Fame for the N.C. Association of County Commissioners. Garrison is in his 25th year of service as a Vance County commissioner. In early fall, Vance County received a $100,000 grant for their farmers market project, one of 19 projects funded with over $2 billion from the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission. The $100,000 grant will be used to help fund expenses for a new farmers market structure near Beckford Drive. Paul McKenzie, agriculture extension agent for Vance and Warren counties, hopes to have the new farmers market venue up and operating at the start of this year’s season. Vance County has received a total of $400,000 from the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund, and an additional $100,000 from the North Carolina development and farmland preservation trust fund. Contact the writer at amauser@hendersondispatch.com.
325 South Garnett Street Henderson, NC
VANCE FURNITURE 252-438-3911 ESTABLISHED
1942
946-A West Andrews Ave., Henderson, NC
LITTLE RIVER CORPORATION 252-492-5009
Year In Review
The Daily Dispatch
1945
ESTABLISHED
ESTABLISHED
2100 US 1-158 Hwy. N, Henderson, NC
GREYSTONE CONCRETE PRODUCTS, INC.
www.greystone-concrete.com
252-438-5144
1946
ESTABLISHED
MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch Staff Vance County Schools welcomed back an estimated 6,400 students for the 2012-2013 school year. Kindergarten teacher Ashley Pennington (right) has her new class line up as they get ready to go to their classroom at Zeb Vance Elementary on the first day of the new school year.
EDUCATION
Strides in graduation rates fail to materialize in Vance DISPATCH STAFF
SERVING INDUSTRY SINCE
1952
1958
315 S. Garnett Street Henderson, NC
BY ALLIE RAE MAUSER
2362 North Garnett St. Henderson, NC
3
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
In August, shortly after a record graduation rate of 80.2 percent was released for the state of North Carolina, Vance County Schools welcomed back an estimated 6,400 students for the 2012-13 school year. The newly released, and most current graduation rate for Vance County, however, was not record setting at 68.2 percent, topping only two other school systems out of 115 in the state. In Warren County, the graduation rate was above the state average, with 83.9 percent of high school seniors receiving diplomas this year. Granville’s graduation rate was slightly above Vance County’s at 72.6 percent. Approximately 100 sixth-graders were welcomed to the first Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics middle school in Vance County on Aug. 27. Terri Hedrick, public information officer for the school system, said Clark Elementary, the other STEM school, has attracted visitors from the state department. “We’ve had folks from out of state come and look at it,” Hedrick said. “The folks at the state department tell us its completely new. We’re excited that we’re breaking ground.” The North Carolina Office of Charter Schools has announced the state board’s preliminary approval of 25 charter school applicants. Among the applicants is Oxford Preparatory High School, slated to open
this fall. Henderson Collegiate, a charter school in Vance County, opened its doors to 100 fourth-graders on Sept. 8, 2010. Since that time they’ve added a grade and 100 more students annually. The school is now fourth through sixth grade, with plans to continue growing at the same rate until reaching the 12th grade. The inaugural group of students are currently sixth-graders, known at the school as the Pride of 2019. Seven Teach For America teachers work at Henderson Collegiate, another nine are active in the system, for a total of 16 working in Vance County Schools this year. With grants from the Oak Foundation, and the Golden LEAF Foundation providing TFA of eastern North Carolina $550,000 in funding this year, its likely the Tri-County area will see more TFA teachers in the system next school year. A Qualified Zone Academy Bond in the amount of $2 million will be issued to Vance County Schools in February, primarily to fund roofing replacements at three elementary schools. Recognized this past year for their dedication to Vance County Schools, and their passion for education were: Natasha Rubin, Teacher of the Year from Zeb Vance Elementary; Laura Rigsbee, Principal of the Year from Aycock Elementary; and Marylaura MacKoon of Zeb Vance Elementary, who earned the first Assistant Principal of the Year designation.
252-430-1111 ESTABLISHED
1965
213 N. Chestnut St.
(Former BB&T Main Office)
Henderson, NC 27536 Expect Different Results
www.holdenmoss.com Tax • Business Management & Development
252-492-3041
Drive-thru is open for your convenience!
ESTABLISHED
1966
Contact the writer at amauser@hendersondispatch.com.
425 N. Garnett Street Henderson, NC
FOGG’S EXXON
518 W. Montgomery Street Henderson, NC
252-492-5009
252-492-7541
ESTABLISHED
1956
ESTABLISHED
1967
MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch Staff Poll worker Shirley Pace (right) checks in voters as they prepare to mark their ballots at St. James Baptist Church.
523 West Andrews Avenue Henderson, NC
ELECTIONS
No surprise in city elections; CITY TIRE, INC. Crawford done after 28 years 252-492-1195
ESTABLISHED
1958
101 S. Garnett Street, Henderson,NC
Thomas Appliance Sales & Service 252-492-3023
BY ALAN WOOTEN DISPATCH STAFF
Henderson’s long-awaited city elections finally happened in the May primary for the 2012 General Election, a state representative of nearly three decades was ousted from Jones Street and voters across the state soundly rejected gay marriage. Those events topped the election scene in Vance County during 2012, when President Barack Obama was re-elected and Gov. Bev Perdue decided not to run for re-election. Obama was roundly endorsed by Democratic-heavy Vance County. Republican Pat McCrory, who lost to Perdue four years ago, took his oath of office this past weekend after a comfortable November win over former Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton and Libertarian Barbara Howe of Oxford. Howe, who literally ran five kilometers in all 100 counties as part of her campaign, said in November she will not make a fourth try for the state’s highest elected office. Crawford, a Democrat who had served various areas of the Tri-County region since the 1980s depending on how districts were drawn by Democrats, ended up matched with Roxboro’s Winkie Wilkins in District 2 after redistricting by Republicans. He formerly represented District 32, which was won in the fall by 31-year-old Nathan Baskerville. Wilkins captured more than 55 percent of the vote against Crawford. In December, Crawford was named to help the McCrory transition team.
Statewide in May, the news out of the primary came from North Carolina voters endorsing a marriage between a man and a woman. The state became the last in the Southeast to approve a constitutional amendment against gay marriage. Pete O’Geary, age 78, earned another four years as Henderson’s mayor after winning 55 percent of the vote against Juanita Somerville in the spring. O’Geary, mayor since 2007, led a strong return to City Hall, with Garry Daeke, James C. Kearney, Sara Coffey, Michael Rainey, Michael Inscoe, Brenda Peace-Jenkins and George Daye all keeping their seats. Vernon Davis won the seat of retiring councilman Lonnie Davis Jr. Only Daeke and Davis had challengers. The city elections were postponed from the fall because of redistricting fallout. The city also set into motion a rotation of staggered terms. Voters this fall will choose representatives to four of the seats. In 2015, four council seats and the mayor’s chair will be on the ballot. On Election Day in November, the district judge seat of Quon Bridges was won by challenger Amanda Stevenson. The race wasn’t decided until the final precinct reported and the State Board of Elections certified a requested recount. Stevenson won by 296 votes out of more than 56,000 cast in four counties, easily the closest percentage win in the area in the spring or fall. Contact the writer at awooten@hendersondispatch.com.
60 Zeb Robinson Road Henderson, NC
J.M. WHITE FUNERAL HOME 252-492-5139 jmwhitefuneralhome.com
ESTABLISHED
1969
102 Goshen Street, Oxford, NC
LOYD PLUMBING CO., INC
252-492-7177 919-693-2000 252-492-7266 919-693-8872
4
Year In Review
The Daily Dispatch
ESTABLISHED
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
1970
ESTABLISHED
451 Ruin Creek Road Suite 204 Henderson, NC
203 Highway US #1 Norlina, NC
A.B. HAIR CARPETS, INC. 252-456-3307 800-582-7198 ESTABLISHED
1972
MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch Staff Members of the Stoney Creek Singers drum circle sing `The Language Song’ during the interment service for Faith Hedgepeth at Mt. Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mourning for Hedgepeth felt from college campus to tribe DISPATCH STAFF
C&P BODY SHOP 252-492-5345
ESTABLISHED
1972
Great Family Dining
Numerous projects designed to take advantage of Warren County’s many assets moved forward in 2012. But attention to those projects was interrupted in September when Faith Hedgepeth, a member of the Haliwa-Saponi tribe, was killed in Chapel Hill, where she was a sophomore at the University of North Carolina. Hedgepeth was a popular member of the tribe, and very active in it and the Warrenton community. She was also an active student at UNC, where candlelight vigils brought out students by the hundreds. The sanctuary of Mt. Bethel Baptist Church in the Warren County community of Hollister was overflowing at a memorial service for Hedgepeth, a 2010 graduate of Warren County High School and honor student who participated in many activities celebrating her Native American heritage. Mourning was widespread, from Chapel Hill to the governor’s mansion to the entire northeast region of the state. In one aspect of economic development, Warren County became a player in the effort to find substitutes for fossil fuels when two solar installations were constructed during 2012. One solar array, built on the roof of Warren County High School, will generate 475 kilowatts
of power. The school system will be paid $175,000 over 20 years. In addition to power and income, the installation will serve instructional purposes for students at the school. “It has another effect, a psychological effect,” said Gabriel Cumming, director of economic development for the county. “It marks Warren County as a place where new and innovative things are taking place, which will attract new industry and business.” Not far away, a 5.6-megawatt solar farm was constructed by Strata Solar on a 40-acre site between Warrenton and Norlina. The power produced by the farm is being sold to Progress Energy. In both solar projects, a major part of the construction and technical work was handled by local workers and businesses. Economic development in Warren County reflects the diverse needs of the county. The Triangle North Warren industrial park is being developed as a site for industry. Warrenton Downtown Revitalization is promoted to attract businesses. The Warren County Economic Development Commission is promoting efforts to capitalize on the county’s major asset — land. A Grow Local/Buy Local initiative encourages farmers to sell produce on the local market. In turn, consumers are reminded that buying local products guarantees freshness while simultaneously recycling Warren County dollars within the county. Contact the writer at dirvine@hendersondispatch.com.
®
252-492-8021 ESTABLISHED
1977
5121 Highway 39 South Henderson, NC BREEDLOVE ELECTRIC, INC.
252-438-3421 ESTABLISHED
1977
115 North Chestnut Street Henderson, NC
JOURNIGAN’S TIRE & BATTERY SALES & SERVICE, INC.
Cookin’ Up Down Home Cookin’
®
• Good Food • Good Service • Fair Price
444 Dabney Drive Henderson, NC We Welcome Call Ahead Orders
252-492-4040
ESTABLISHED
FOUR COUNTY EYE ASSOCIATES
WARREN COUNTY
BY DAVID IRVINE
3521 Raleigh Road, Henderson, NC
1976
252-492-4131
1975
ESTABLISHED
1979
MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch Staff Granville County failed to persuade Baxter International to locate a new plant in the Triangle North Granville Industrial Park. With the park’s infrastructure already in place they hope other companies will see that it is a viable site.
585 Industry Drive, Henderson, NC
Elmer A. Deal & Sons Plumbing, Inc. 252-438-6308 ESTABLISHED
1975
420 Red Oak Road, Henderson, NC
KIDS WORLD CHILD CARE CENTER & PRE-SCHOOL 252-492-1829
GRANVILLE COUNTY
501 Walnut Street Henderson, NC
Several leadership positions changed, and Baxter said ‘no’ COMMERCIAL SEAMING CO. BY DAVID IRVINE DISPATCH STAFF
When long-time Granville County Commissioner Hubert Gooch decided not to seek re-election in 2012, the vacancy he created was only one of several that occurred in Granville County in 2012. Gooch had been appointed to the board of commissioners twice before being elected to three four-year terms. A retired educator, he served over 30 years with Granville County Schools as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent and associate superintendent. His spot on the board of commissioners was filled by Ed Mims of Creedmoor, who led in a primary election, won in a runoff and won again in the general election in November. A county staff vacancy occurred when Jay Tilley, director of economic development, resigned in May. Shortly afterward, he said, “We missed out on a big one. After that, things began to deteriorate.” Tilley, as point man for Granville County, had failed to persuade Baxter International to locate a new plant in the Triangle North Granville Industrial Park. Instead, the company went to Georgia. No one would confirm that losing the Baxter plant cost Tilley his job. But the unfilled space in Granville Industrial Park may have been an unpleasant reminder of the ineffectiveness of his efforts. The Granville County Board of Commissioners had invested heavily in the park’s infrastructure. In addition, to avoid losing favored tax status, the
board had mortgaged other county property to purchase the park, an action that created controversy in the community. Putting a positive face on the board’s investment in the park, Commissioner Dave Currin said Granville Industrial Park met Baxter’s exacting demands for water, sewer and roads. “If you can meet those standards, other companies know that you are a viable site,” he said. To fill the EDC director’s position, the county hired Bill Edwards, who had recently retired as president of the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce, on an interim basis. At year’s end, Edwards was still in the position and the commissioners appeared to be in no hurry to fill the spot permanently. Other vacancies seemed to be the order of the day in Granville County during 2012. The City of Oxford was hardest hit by openings that occurred in key positions. City Manager Mark Donham resigned in June and Fire Chief Earnest Lee Bess III resigned in July. Oxford also lost, all to resignations, Donna Hosch as city clerk, Tanya Weary as director of downtown economic development and Shield Blackwell as executive director of Granville Education Foundation. Weary and Blackwell remained in the area, taking jobs at Vance-Granville Community College and Granville Medical Center, respectively. Contact the writer at dirvine@hendersondispatch.com.
INC.
252-492-6178 ESTABLISHED
1979
5230 NC 39 Highway South
Henderson, NC
GRISSOM FERTILIZER 252-492-3662 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7:30AM - 5PM Sat. 7AM - Noon
Year In Review
The Daily Dispatch
ESTABLISHED
5
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
1979
ESTABLISHED
183 N. Oliver Dr. Henderson, NC
1989
ROBERT’S AIRBRUSH SHOP
SATTERWHITE 66 TIRE & AUTOMOTIVE
2958 NC Hwy 39 South Henderson, NC Owner: Robert Ellis, Jr.
24 Hour Wrecker Service Specializing in Towing & Recovery of all types of vehicles & trucks.
robertsairbrushshop@ embarqmail.com
252-492-4488
252-492-9781
ESTABLISHED
1985
ESTABLISHED
1991
DONALD D. PERGERSON Attorney at Law
926 S. Garnett Street, Henderson, NC
• 235 Dabney Dr., Henderson, NC • 911 Linden Avenue, Oxford, NC
DAVIS-ROYSTER FUNERAL SERVICE, INC.
We are a debt relief agency We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code
252-492-7796 ESTABLISHED
1986
MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch Staff J.F. Webb’s Isaiah Hicks skies above a pair of Person defenders for the dunk in early December.
SPORTS
Webb standout picks Heels; state champ golfer shoots 61 BY KELLEN HOLTZMAN DISPATCH STAFF
220 Dabney Drive Henderson, NC
252-438-3888 ESTABLISHED
1988
Burglar Alarms • Fire Alarms Video Surveillance Henderson, NC Owned And Operated By Dave Arner 24 HOUR MONITORING for $16/month CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE
252-430-9694 252-438-7181 ESTABLISHED
1989
634 Dabney Drive Henderson, NC
CAROLINA CARPET 252-430-7889
The atmosphere for Northern Vance-J.F. Webb basketball games is always intense and emotionfilled. That only begins to describe the air in Viking Gymnasium on the third Friday night in January. Isaiah Hicks was back in uniform for Webb, having watched more than half of the season from the sidelines after transferring back to Webb from Body of Christ Academy in Raleigh. Hicks didn’t disappoint when the ball was tossed up. He sank Webb’s first basket of the game on a turnaround jumper from the elbow and electrified the capacity crowd with rim-rocking finishes and imposing blocks. Hicks made his college commitment official in November, signing with Roy Williams and North Carolina about a week before the start of his senior season. Led by first-year coach Jon Russell, Webb softball claimed the first fastpitch league title in school history. Russell, previously the head coach at Northern, left Webb in July to become the athletics director at Southern Alamance High School. Spring, fall and winter sports combined, 27 TriCounty teams began their respective seasons with new head coaches, including three of the four area football teams. Southern Vance started the fall with a new athletics director after Ed Wilson, who served as Raider AD for about 18 years, announced his retirement in
August. Mike Rotolo, the only varsity boys basketball coach to serve under Wilson, exited the program he started when Southern was established in 1990. He concluded his high school coaching career by leading the East team in July’s N.C. Coaches Association East-West game in Greensboro. Rotolo was named the head coach at VanceGranville Community College, which was forced to cancel its fourth season (2011-2012) in January due to lack of players. Kerr-Vance produced the area’s only team or individual state champion of the year when senior Ben O’Geary claimed the NCISAA 2-A title in Pinehurst. Just a few weeks before the championships, O’Geary fired a remarkable round of 61 in a KVA match at HenderBen O’Geary son Country Club. KVA soccer’s run at a state title ended in the 2-A semifinals after an unbeaten conference season. Tommy Farmer’s Spartans finished 22-2-1 overall. Coach Razvan Tegean led Northern soccer to its first state playoff appearance since 2007. Northern baseball snapped a longer drought, earning its first postseason bid in 10 years. With a loaded senior class and junior pitching ace Nate Arrington returning, coach Benji Nelson’s bunch is poised for another special season in 2013.
Plea deals were arranged in eight murder cases DISPATCH STAFF
Prosecutors reached plea deals in 2012 with eight murder-case defendants, imposing 37-58 years total of prison consequence for the eight lives lost in unrelated acts of violence. Terrell Freeman, 25, of Chase City, Va., received six to eight years on July 16 for his role with two others in the Dec. 11, 2008, plot to travel from Virginia to the Stagecoach Road, Henderson, home of Joseph Arrington Davis, 48, tricking him by pretences, shooting him repeatedly with a shotgun, and then robbing him of $6. Antonio Townes, 19, of Henderson, got nine to 11 years on Aug. 21 for shooting Dante Montrell Champion, 19, dead on July 10, 2010, on Pearl Street. The shooting involved several shots fired by more than one shooter. A Jan. 6 plea deal on a manslaughter charge by Shamon Champion, 25, of Henderson, for the Aug. 23, 2009, shooting death of Robert Newsome Sr., 30, netted seven to nine years. The murder case was degraded by a felony larceny case against Sgt. Kendall Riddick, the Henderson Police Department lead detective in the investigation, according to prosecutors. Assistant District Attorney Allison Capps said Newsome and Champion had an altercation at a nightclub that continued outside Newsome’s 715
ESTABLISHED
1993
234 Dabney Drive, Henderson, NC
SOUTHERN LAUNDRY & DRY CLEANERS 252-438-5525 ESTABLISHED
1994
Under New Management as of May 2010
Contact the writer at kholtzman@hendersondispatch.com.
COURTS
BY MARTIN FISHER
252-492-6911
High St., home, where Champion gunned him down then ran away. Riddick, dismissed from the police department, had been tasked with gathering witness statements and finding the murder weapon. He was charged in an unrelated felony theft case before Champion’s case reached a resolution. Capps said the deal “most definitely” was impacted by Riddick’s sudden departure. Dampening the last three months of the trial opportunities for 2012 was a vehicle death case that got away. Michael Gray Rigsbee, 40, of Creedmoor, is charged with second-degree murder, vehicle hitand-run and reckless driving on Interstate 85. His Volvo tractor-trailer struck a BMW motorcycle July 8, 2010, driven by Sean Christopher Newman, 41, of Cary, killing him. Capps said the case was prepared for trial in September and October, and was delayed again in December, twice because of defense attorney J. Thomas Burnette’s ill health, and the third time because a key prosecution witness was unavailable. “We were ready to begin seating a jury when this fell through,” Capps said. “Fortunately, we were able to call off flights (for witnesses) and the tickets are refundable, but we put three weeks of preparation into it (for) a day and a half of testimony.” Contact the writer at mfisher@hendersondispatch.com.
225 N. Oliver Drive, Henderson, NC
TL PERKINSON WRECKER SERVICE 252-492-7548 ESTABLISHED
1999
1227 Dabney Drive Henderson, NC
VANCE CHARTER SCHOOL 252-431-0440
6
Year In Review
The Daily Dispatch
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Southern Vance’s Christopher Henderson (left photo) looks for running room as he carries the ball against Northern Vance as a teammate’s helmet flies off. KerrVance Academy’s Holland Mills (below) celebrates after she scored against Grace Christian in the second half of their game.
Northern Vance’s Gabby Matthews (above photo) reacts after scoring against Southern Vance goal keeper Elizabeth Gay. Southern Vance’s Latrel Fields (right photo) slides into second base safely after colliding with Wilson Fike’s Charlie Vaughan as he looses control of the ball.
Photos by Mark Dolejs
Warren County head coach John Ward gives Pete Johnson a kiss on the head after he scored against Louisburg.
ESTABLISHED
1999
ESTABLISHED
“Getting You Connected For Life”
2000
ESTABLISHED
2001
ESTABLISHED 2001
RICK EDWARDS ELECTRIC Residential & Commercial Bucket Truck • Sign Lighting No Job Too Small Licensed & Insured In NC & VA
(252) 438-4856 Phone & Fax (252) 438-0147 Mobile www.rickedwardselectric.com ricke@nc.rr.com
ESTABLISHED
2001
420 Raleigh Road Henderson, NC
AA SELF STORAGE with climate controlled units www.aa-self-storage.com
Mon.-Fri 9AM - 6PM, Sat. 8AM - 2 PM Closed Sun.
TOLL FREE 1-866-825-8854 252-433-0236
81 Vicksboro Road Henderson, NC
EASTSIDE BARBERSHOP & SALON 252-431-0680
ESTABLISHED
2002
135 US #158 Bypass Henderson, NC
124 Main Street Oxford, NC Serving Vance and Granville Counties for more than 10 years!
919-693-1730 ESTABLISHED
2005
120 Industry Drive Oxford, NC
DISCOUNT FURNITURE CENTER
AA SELF STORAGE
252-430-7283
919-690-8822
with climate controlled units
www.aa-self-storage.com Mon.-Fri. 9AM - 6PM • Sat. 8AM - 2PM • Closed Sun
TOLL FREE 1-866-825-8854
1072 Gillburg Road, Henderson 252-438-4882 252-432-1043
ESTABLISHED
2008
150 Burwell Avenue, Henderson, NC
KID’S WORLD, TOO, INC.
252-572-4534