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Author: Syndicate Staff

Danville Fire Department Acts Fast To Suppress Kick Back Jack’s Fryer Fire

On March 29th, at 1:21 a.m., the Danville Fire Department received a call for a fire alarm at Kick Back Jack’s, located at 140 Crown Drive.  Upon arrival Engine 2 and Ladder 1 found smoke coming from a vent on the roof.  Engine 2 forced entry by breaking a glass door near the front of the building. As they entered the building they found smoke coming from the kitchen.  Engine 2 continued to investigate and found a small fire near the deep fryer.  Engine 2’s crew used a fire extinguisher to douse the flames.  There was no structural damage to the building or extension past the range hood but the kitchen appliances sustained moderate damage.  Upon further investigation, it was found the fire protection systems, located above the fryer, had actuated and suppressed the fire, preventing the spread of the fire prior to fire department personnel arriving on scene.  The suppression system was not enough to fully extinguish the fire but allowed enough time for the fire department to intervene.  There were no injuries and the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Fire Marshal’s office.  Please direct questions to the Danville Fire Marshal’s office.

This is a friendly reminder by the Danville Fire Department for business owners to perform scheduled, routine maintenance on all fire suppression equipment and for residents to check your fire extinguishers, and smoke detectors.

The fire department responded with three engines, a Ladder, one support vehicle, and a command vehicle.  The Danville Life Saving Crew responded to support the DFD with an ambulance and a response vehicle.

William C Smotherman – Battalion Chief, DFD

SOURCE

Erik Teague selected as new Head Varsity Football Coach at Reidsville High School

Reidsville High School is excited to announce the hiring of Erik Teague as the new Head Coach of the Reidsville Rams’ Varsity Football team. Erik Teague is a Ram at heart, a 2006 graduate of Reidsville High School. After high school, Teague attended and played football at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, graduating in 2010 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Math Education. Teague received his Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas-Arlington in 2012.

Coach Teague began his teaching and coaching career in 2010 at George Washington High School in Danville, Virginia. While serving as a math teacher at GWHS, he also worked with the Eagles’ tight ends and quarterbacks. He has served as a math teacher and assistant football coach at Reidsville High School for the past 11 school years.

Coach Teague married his wife Kayla in 2014. Together, they have two sons, Macon (age 6) and Clayton (age 3). Kayla Teague is a fourth grade teacher at Monroeton Elementary School.

“I am excited to be the head football coach at Reidsville High School,” Teague said. “I will work extremely hard, along with my assistant coaches, to continue the tradition of success that Reidsville football is known for. Our goal will be to use the game of football to teach character, toughness, structure, and discipline. As the head coach, I have the responsibility of developing the best possible football team on Friday nights, as well as developing young men to be successful for their life after football.”

Police Make Arrest in Woodberry Hills Elementary School Arson In Danville, Virginia

The Danville Police Department has arrested and charged David Avery Meyer, 20, following an arson that occurred at Woodberry Hills Elementary School over the weekend.

On Saturday, March 25, the Danville Police Department was called to assist the Danville Fire Department with an arson investigation at the elementary school, where the kitchen was set on fire. Click here for the fire department’s press release regarding the fire.

A Danville Utilities worker initially spotted Meyer in the woods nearby the school, where he had set a stump on fire. The utility worker and members of Danville Fire Department’s Engine 6 engaged with Meyer until police arrived. He was detained by police without incident.

Meyer has been charged with:

Burning or Destroying a Building by Fire
Careless Damage of Property by Fire
Trespass on Church or School Property

Meyer is currently in the Danville City Jail.

THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY POSTED HERE.

Must Love Dogs Festival II To Be Held in Greensboro April 2, 2023

Guilford County Animal Services invites citizens to join us on Sunday, April 2nd, 2023 from 12pm to 4pm at Bur-Mil Park located at 5834 Bur Mill Club Rd. Greensboro, NC 27410 for our annual Must Love Dogs Festival! The festival is to promote heartworm education and raise funds for Guilford County Animal Services Have-A-Heart fund to treat shelter dogs that are heartworm positive. 

 Come out and enjoy all our fun filled festival has to offer! We will have adoptable dogs available at the festival, 10+ food trucks, over 50 vendors and various activities! 10% of all profits our food truck and vendor partners make at the event will be donated to our Have-A-Heart fund! 

We would love for you to bring your family as well as your pet friendly dogs out to the festival for some doggone good fun! We will host a doggy themed egg hunt around the beautiful Bur-Mil Lake, a no mess painting station, a kids crafting station, Dog and Human Yoga, a doggy pool, face painting, caricatures and more! Please see our vendor and event lists below for more information. 

We would like to thank our partners at Guilford Parks for hosting us again this year. If you would like more information on Bur-Mil Park, please visit Bur-Mil Park’s website.

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Donate To Our Have A Heart Fund
Your donation to The Have-A-Heart Fund goes directly to help treat Heartworm Positive dogs currently under the care of GCAS. The goal of the Have-A-Heart Fund is to give each Heartworm Positive dog an opportunity to enjoy a second chance of a happy and loving life. GCAS does not turn its back to rescuing heartworm positive dogs, in spite of the high costs to treat this painful yet preventable parasite. At any given time, we care for about 30 heartworm positive dogs, in which the treatment costs range from $500 – $800 for each dog.haveaheart

Donate to the Have-A-Heart Fund and proceeds will go directly toward rehabilitating dogs who have this painful and deadly disease.

Guilford County is a local government and as a political subdivision of the State of North Carolina, is an organization qualified to receive tax-deductible contributions.

Your contribution will be used solely for public purposes in supporting Guilford County Animal Services’ Have-A-Heart Fund and therefore is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Use the button below to make a donation online.  Or send your contribution to: Guilford County Animal Services/Donations 980 Guilford College Rd. Greensboro, NC 27409
Guilford County Animal Services Tents and Trailer
Must Love Dogs Event Map
haveaheartmap
Participating Food Trucks, Vendors and Organizations

Food Trucks

Just GrillinJust Grillin Facebook PageBBQ
Little HalosLittle Halos Facebook Pagemini donuts
King’s Court ConcessionsKing’s Court Concessions Facebook PageLemonaide, sweet tea, shaved ice
West Coast Wanderer LLCWest Coast Wanderer Facebook PageCalifornia Food Truck
Defense DogsDefense Dogs Facebook Pagehot dog truck – Free Pup Cups!
Drapers Funnel CakesDraper’s Funnel Cakes Facebook PageFunnel Cakes
Taco Bros Food Truckwww.tacobrosfoodtruck.comTacos
Bull City Ciderworkshttps://www.bullcityciderworks.com/Cider
Que SazonQue Sazon Facebok PageColumbian Food

Activity Vendors 

Ever After Art Studiohttp://everafterartnc.comDog Painting and Fluid Art Items
Painted Grapehttp://PaintedGrapeNC.comFace Painting and selling DIY Craft Kits
Rooted Studiowww.rootedstudioyoga.comDog Yoga and Plant Sales
A Child’s Creative CuriosityA Child’s Creative Curiosity Facebook PageChild’s Crafts
Noah’s Bark Mobile GroomingNoah’s Bark Mobile Pet Grooming Facebook PageDog Grooming and Doggy Pool
Penny’s Colorful Lifehttp://pennyscolorfullife.comCaricatures
Foothills Foam Factoryhttp://foothillsfoamfactory.comPet Foam Parties

Vendors

Healing Hands Therapeutic RanchHealing Hands Facebook PageChild Therapy
Best 4K9https://best4k9.comDog Food Store
Tupperware ConsultantsNo Website ProvidedTupperware Containers
BackyardGrownSavagewww.backyardgrownsavage.comherbal/holistic products.
ThirtyOne Giftshttps://www.mythirtyone.com/us/en/pennyspursepackBags and Totes
Westminster Wood WorksWestminster Wood Works Facebook PageWoodwork Items
Ceaseless Customs WorkshopCeaseless Customs Workshopwoodwork, furniature, candles
Color Streethttps://linktr.ee/baileyssgcornerMakeup
Pages Of Magichttps://www.etsy.com/shop/PagesOfMagicShopStickers
Bull City TreasuresBull City Treasures Facebook PageCrafts and Signs
Crazy Pups BoutiqueCrazy Pups Boutique Facebook PageDog collars, bows and signs
Paparazzi JewelryPaparazzi Jewelry Facebook PageJewelry
Noah&Abby crafts by HeatherCrafts By Heather Facebook PageJewelry
the Curvy Fox Boutiquewww.thecurvyfoxboutique.comPlus size clothing
Chloe Rose DesignsChloe Rose Designs Facebook PageTshirts
Gutierrez WoodworkingGutierrez Woodworking Instagram Pagewoodworking
Orbitten ShopOrbitten Shop Facebook PageResin Maker
The Pup Pie Shop LLChttp://thepup-pieshop.comdog treats
Nerys Mexican AccessoriesNerys Mexican Accessories Facebook PageMexican cultural items
Green Witch MysticsGreen Witch Mystics Facebook PageWire Wrapped Jewelry and Crystals
L.A. Sudshttps://lasuds.myshopify.com/Bath bombs
Bark House BoutiqueNo Website ProvidedT-shirts, as well as up-cycled, recycled, dog related items
Twofoots Bakery LLCTwofoots Bakery Facebook PageTreats for dogs and people
Arf Scarf by SharonArf Scarf Facebook PageDog scarfs and Bow Ties
Color Street IINo Website Providedmakeup
SeneGenceHttp://linktr.ee/bySarahLouBeauty Supplies
LH & Co.No Website ProvidedBleached T-shirts
Karina Morales Art&PlantsKarina Morales Art&Plants Facebook PageArt and Houseplant Items
Bulldog Crafty DesignsBulldog Crafty Designs Facebook PageSoaps and Crafts
Sew LillySew Lilly Facebook PageSewn dog accessories, bags and wallets
Two Beach BlondiesNo Website Providedhandmade jewelry
All Pets Consideredhttp://allpetsconsidered.compet supplies

Organizations

Guilford County DSSGuilford County DSS WebsiteDepartment of Social Services
NCAT Pre-Veterinary Medical AssociationNCAT Pre-Veterinary PageVeterinary Medical Association
Kisco Senior Livingwww.kiscoseniorliving.comSenior Living Facilities (Heritage Greens)
Partners Ending Homelessnesshttps://pehgc.orgAssistance for Homeless
HonorBridgehttps://honorbridge.org/Organ Donation
Piedmont Communities SN& Wellness Clinichttp://pcspayneuter.comVeterinary Clinic
City of Greensboro – Water Resourceswww.greensboro-nc.gov/WaterWater Resources
Triad Golden Retriever Rescuehttp://tgrr.orgGolden Retriever Rescue
Camp Bow-Wowwww.campbowwow.com/greensboroDoggy Daycare
Almost Home Boarding & Groominghttps://www.almosthome-kennels.comDog Boarding
State Farm Agentwww.KloppInsurance.comInsurance
Doggos Park & Pubhttps://www.doggosparkandpub.com/Dog Park and Pub
Altmeyer Funeral Services and Crematoryhttps://altmeyer.com/
Pet Cremation Services

THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY POSTED HERE.

Danville City manager submits proposed budget

City Manager Ken Larking tonight submitted to the City Council a proposed budget that includes $8 million in new revenue anticipated from state-collected gaming taxes and a $4.1 million local supplement from Caesars Virginia, which will open a temporary casino this year.

The gaming tax revenue, as proposed, will pay for several activities, including economic development initiatives, new positions for Danville Public Schools, maintaining low school classroom sizes, lease and debt payments for the new police headquarters, removal of blight, and continuation of the gang prevention program.

The local supplement will be used for general governmental operations, the cost of which is increasing due to inflation and rising personnel costs, including health care and salaries and wages.

The budget includes no increase in real estate, meals, and lodging tax rates. Minor utility rate adjustments are proposed. The rate adjustments are from a biennial rate study. For the average residential customer, their monthly utility bill will go up $1.50.

A monthly sanitation fee increase of $1 from $16.50 to $17.50 is proposed because of rising costs of service. The fee change is the first since 2005.

Other fee increases are proposed for parks and recreation rentals, zoning verification letters, and the fire marshal’s office. These fees capture revenue from the customers who are using these services and reduce the subsidies that the general taxpayer provides.

The total proposed budget for the next fiscal year is nearly $322.7 million for operations, capital improvements, and debt service. This total is a 13 percent increase, or $37 million more than the current fiscal year’s budget of $285.7 million.

The proposed budget is a working draft for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. The City Council will hold public hearings prior to adopting a budget. Final adoption must take place no later than June 30.

Budget documents are available for review at www.danvilleva.gov/2024budget.

Revenue forecasts

Larking told the City Council that revenue forecasts are favorable as compared to last year. Those increases include:

  • $12.1 million in casino gaming and supplemental revenue.
  • $1.37 million in meals taxes.
  • $1.17 million in business licenses.
  • $506,420 million in personal property taxes.
  • $437,950 in sales taxes. 
  • $442,150 in hotel/motel taxes
  • $200,000 in current and delinquent real estate tax collections.

Expenditure highlights

The guiding principles for development of the proposed budget include a focus on the City Council-identified priority areas of economic and community development, education, and public safety.

For economic and community development, the proposed budget includes money for improvements to the Danville Regional Airport; various economic development grant programs; already-approved economic development incentives and investments in sites and buildings; phase one of a splash pad for Ballou Park Recreation Center; neighborhood revitalization efforts; Riverwalk Trail improvements; tourism marketing; and continuation of the youth Experience Works Internship Program.

For education, the proposed budget includes an increase of $2.55 million for school operations, which will be used for three new behavioral specialist positions and salary increases. These funds will help Danville Public Schools maintain low classroom sizes, which is necessary to improve student achievement.

For public safety, the proposed budget includes funds to continue implementation of the federal comprehensive gang model; expand the video surveillance program; and continue community engagement efforts, including dedicated youth engagement officers for the Police Department.

The proposed budget provides funds for rising health care costs, continues the pay-for-performance system for employee raises; funds a full year of the cost to implement the state’s minimum wage; and sets aside money for implementation of recommendations from a pay study, which was initiated earlier this year and is nearly complete.

As proposed, four new positions will be created, and eight existing positions will be reclassified.

The proposed budget reflects an additional $19.9 million for utilities operations, which includes electric, gas, water treatment, wastewater treatment and broadband services. The increase includes $10 million in power supply costs, driven in part by servicing large customers such as Aerofarms and Tyson Foods. Those companies are expected to be a full production in the next fiscal year.

SOURCE

Caesars Virginia Hiring Event In Danville March 23-24, 2023 (Plus Online Application)

Caesars Virginia is holding a hiring event March 23-24 at the Averett University North Campus at Frank Campbell Stadium. Full-time and part-time positions are available for table games dealers, cocktail servers, bartenders, and many more positions with on-the-spot offers. They also have an online application you can find with this link.

Juvenile Charged with First Degree Murder in Danville, Virginia

The Danville Police Department has charged a 13-year-old juvenile with the murder of that juvenile’s 4-year-old sibling following an incident that occurred in August 2022 in the City of Danville.

A first degree murder charge was brought following further investigation stemming from the juvenile’s confession earlier this week about suffocating the victim. The juvenile was arrested in another jurisdiction.

In August 2022, investigators and crime scene responded to the scene of a residence where a 4-year-old child was found in a room without a pulse and not breathing. The child was transported to SOVAH Health in Danville before being airlifted to another medical facility, and later died.

The juvenile will be transferred to W.W. Moore Detention Center pending trial.

SOURCE

Project Imagine honors latest class of graduates in Danville, Virginia

Five teenagers were honored last week for completing life skills training and goal-setting exercises through Project Imagine. The program steers youths away from gang activity, and instead focusing on goals such as having no contact with law enforcement, improving their grades, completing school, and becoming employed.

Graduating from the program were Dre Campbell, Daequan Smith, Daeshaun Smith, Amarvion Thompson, and Tywon Wosley. 

Robert David, youth services and gang violence prevention coordinator for the City of Danville, commended the youths for taking this step.

“When you came to Project Imagine, you became warriors because you stepped into an arena that your friends did not want to,” David said, speaking to the graduating kids. “It doesn’t matter what they (friends) say to you because you are the warriors. They are haters. They are not even in the game. You made the decision, ‘I am going to get my grades up,’ ‘I am going to stay off the streets,’ or ‘I am going to do whatever I got to do to be successful.’ You are the warriors.”

David said the Project Imagine staff will serve as a support system for them from now on.

“We tag the phrase ‘your new aunts and uncles’,” David said. “What that means is we create a support system to help you navigate. That is what we do. We are serious about our relationships with the youth and helping them move from one level to the next.”

Curtis Artis, assistant coordinator, thanked the graduates and their parents for trusting the Project Imagine process and what the program has to offer.

“We are raising strong children to be good men,” he said. “Each of you has a strength that people say is a weakness. We are going to show you how to take that strength and turn it into a positive. Watch what the results will be.”

Deputy City Manager Earl Reynolds encouraged the kids to not cling to the past, and to turn their regrets for past actions into something positive.

“Today, you can see, acknowledge, and understand what you did wrong,” Reynolds said. “If you fail, then never give up. ‘F.A.I.L.’ means ‘first attempt at learning.’ Failure is not ‘F.A.I.L.’ ‘End’ is not ‘the end.’ ‘E.N.D.’ is ‘effort never dies.’ If you get ‘no’ as an answer, remember that ‘N.O.’ is ‘next opportunity.’”

Since the program’s inception, 16 classes, totaling 90 teens, have graduated.

Project Imagine started in 2018 to create a positive “image” in the youth’s mind so that he or she can “imagine” a life without gangs or crime. Initially, the program consisted of a nine-week paid work experience and mentoring while on the job with a partnering agency. 

The focus now is developing and maintaining those relationships as each teen progresses in meeting their goals, such as finishing school and becoming employed. A Project Imagine outreach worker is assigned to mentor each teen in the program for a minimum of one year.

David says Project Imagine provides opportunities for the kids, who in turn have the responsibility of taking advantage of it.

As part of the program, the participants receive strength-based assessments using the Casey Life Skills and Clifton Strengths tools that aim to set youth on their way toward developing healthy, productive lives. 

The teens in Project Imagine are chosen from referrals from the police department, courts, schools, and parents.

Project Imagine has received national recognition. In 2020, David was named a winner of the Frederic Milton Thrasher Award by the National Gang Crime Research Center. The award recognizes his accomplishments in gang prevention and intervention.

The program also received the President’s Award from the Virginia Municipal League in October 2019.

SOURCE