Press Releases

July 14 Update: The driver from the fatal collision in Harnett County has been identified: Kody Ray Johnson , 22, of 4837 Lemon Springs Road, Sanford. Attention All News Editors/Producers: A preliminary investigation has revealed on Sunday, July 12, at 10:39 p.m. the State Highway Patrol responded to a single vehicle collision on Simon Road near Buck Road in Johnston County.

What: IBM Vice President of Global Citizenship Initiatives Diane Melley, CASY CIO Erin Voirol, NCWorks Executive Director Will Collins, and local veterans to launch new initiative connecting vets to high-skilled tech jobs. When: Tuesday, July 14th at 10 a.m. Where: NCNG Joint Force Headquarters, Auditorium, 1636 Gold Star Drive, Raleigh Media Contact On Site: Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan Cell: (919) 612-5061

Two store clerks, one in Brunswick County and one in New Hanover County, face weapons charges today following separate investigations by North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement agents. Chad Jeffrey Allen Vasos, 21, of Wilmington, is charged with carrying a concealed weapon at an establishment licensed by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. Agents charged Vasos, an employee at Monkey Junction Pit Stop, 4902 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington, on July 9.

What: State Command Chief Warrant Officer Change of Responsibility Ceremony When: Friday, July 10, 2 p.m. Where: NCNG Joint Force Headquarters, 1636 Gold Star Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27607 Media Contact On Site: Lt. Col Matt DeVivo, Cell: (919) 612-5061

By Sgt. Gina Russell First Combined Arms Battalion, 252nd Armor Regiment Alpha Company, assumed responsibility for the Multinational Battle Group-East, or MNBG-E, Forward Command Post, or FCP, during a transition of authority ceremony at Camp Marechal de Lattre De Tassigny, or CMLT, in Kosovo, July 4. The battalion is a North Carolina National Guard unit out of Fayetteville.

Two people are in the Forsyth County jail today for helping Kristopher McNeill, a convicted murderer, elude police last weekend after his escape from Brown Creek prison. Shyla Daniel Ryder, 30, and Mazandra Yvette Spigner, 44, both from Winston Salem, were arrested by the State Bureau of Investigation in Winston Salem Wednesday. The women are charged with harboring McNeill who escaped custody from Brown Creek Correctional Institution in Anson County on June 27. McNeill was captured and returned to prison on Sunday.

A Hollister man is facing court today for possession of seven kilograms of cocaine. Randy Lynch, 49, was arrested Wednesday by the State Bureau of Investigation and Vance County Sheriff's Office on Flemington Road in Henderson. He was charged with trafficking cocaine. The street value of the seven kilograms of cocaine is estimated at $100,000. He is being held in the Vance County Jail under $1 million bond. This arrest is part of an ongoing investigation assisted by the Granville County Sheriff's office and the Warren County Sheriff's Office.

The operation of an indoor marijuana grow in Henderson has ended with the seizure of 93 pounds of marijana and the arrests of two men. Jorge Colina, 37, Henderson, and Manuel Colinas, 29, Knightdale, were arrested for trafficking and growing marijuana and other related charges late Tuesday. The searches and the arrests were conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation, Alcohol Law Enforcement, Henderson Police Department and Vance Sheriff's Office.

As the anticipation continues to intensify for an estimated 40,000 fans expected to fill the Carter-Finley Stadium this Wednesday evening, the State Highway Patrol and the Department of Transportation finalize plans to ensure concert goers a safe and enjoyable experience. For more than two months, both organizations have worked diligently on travel routes to and from the stadium, attempting to decrease waiting times before and after the event.

Update The State Highway Patrol has identified the driver involved in Sunday’s collision on US 70 near La Grange. The driver involved is Dylan Thomas Smith, 22, of La Grange .  Mr. Smith will be charged with Failing to Slow or Change Lanes for an Authorized Emergency Vehicle on a Multi-Lane Roadway , also referred to as the “Move Over” law.  The violation is a misdemeanor for causing personal injury or property damage greater than $500.