COMMUNITY NEWS

HENDERSON -- The Golden LEAF Foundation gave Vance-Granville Community College three quarters of a million dollars to help build a new Center for Advanced Manufacturing & Applied Technology (CAMAT).
The project will strengthen workforce training programs aligned with regional industry needs and expand access to high-wage career pathways.
Golden LEAF's Board of Directors announced the award during its February board meeting.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Police are investigating a handful of vehicle break ins at an apartment complex.
Five residents in the 600, 800 and 900 units of Hampton Village -- between N.C. 96 and U.S. 1-A -- reported thefts from their vehicles the morning of Jan. 17.
Suspects, authorities said, are alleged to have stolen loose change and nominal personal items.
The vehicles were unlocked, investigators said, and the thefts appear to be an isolated crime of opportunity.

LOUISBURG -- Police arrested a Spring Hope man on drug charges.
Louisburg Police Officer J.D. Justice arrested Tyree Montrel Person on the evening of Feb. 17, charging him with possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia.
The arrest report does not indicate the amount of the drug.
But, it noted that Person possessed paraphernalia, including cut drinking straws and empty heroin bindle wrappers necessary to sell the product.

FRANKLINTON -- Police arrested a man on child sex charges.
Rene Sabillion Cardona was arrested Feb. 11 and was charged with indecent liberties with a child and simple assault.
According to the arrest report, the assault on the victim, under the age of 16, occurred on Feb. 11.

YOUNGSVILLE -- Since October, two communities have been helping fight the battle against hunger and food insecurity in Franklin County.
They're recruiting more into their ranks.
PORCH Communities is a grassroots organization, where each month, folks can leave non perishable food on their porch for pickup.
Volunteers then take that food and deliver it to a local food pantry.