Press Releases

The N.C. Department of Public Safety today announced it will extend until July 31 an initiative that provides voluntary COVID-19 testing to employees in its Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice (ACJJ). The initiative was expanded past its original tentative May 31 end date after the State Health Plan announced earlier this week it would extend to July 31 the time period in which state employees covered by the plan could receive COVID-19 testing at no cost. 

Yesterday, state and local officials shut down two illegal bars in Greensboro resulting in arrests, charges and seizures.  ALE special agents began an investigation into a Greensboro residence after community members complained of illegal drug and alcohol sales. The residence, 918 Hackett Street, was the source of numerous shootings, assaults and calls for service, and was a drain on local law enforcement resources. 

A minimum custody offender who escaped yesterday from Wake Correctional Center was caught today in the act of trying to steal a car, according to the Chapel Hill Police Department. Offender Gerrhon D. Mills, (#0987453) was caught around noon today by the Chapel Hill Police Department. Mills was last seen around noon yesterday at the prison in Raleigh.

The State of North Carolina and FEMA are announcing more than $6.7 million to reimburse Town of Spring Lake Hurricane Florence-related expenses. The funds reimburse repairs made to the Cumberland County town’s water and wastewater treatment plant. Repairs included removing and replacing destroyed electrical and mechanical components critical to the plant’s operations. FEMA has approved a total of more than $7.2 million in Hurricane Florence-related reimbursements to the Town of Spring Lake.

The Division of Prisons has resumed a limited number of transfers of offenders to make room for other offenders sentenced to state prison. The movement of offenders currently housed in state prisons is being done in phases to prepare for the gradual reopening of the courts and the removal of a moratorium on the acceptance of prison-sentenced offenders from the county jails.

As the summer vacation season fast approaches, the State Highway Patrol is encouraging motorists to keep safety at the forefront throughout Memorial Day weekend. Increased travel could potentially be seen across the state as restrictions associated with COVID-19 continue to ease. 

NOTE: For more details see NCDHHS Expands Measures to Prevent and Respond to COVID-19 in Long-term Care Facilities

North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) and NC Division of Emergency Management hosted remote "virtual" cyber training for state, local and tribal government officials on May, 13 and 15, 2020.  The more than 100 cyber experts from 61 different organizations or government agencies such as community colleges, law enforcement agencies, and county information technology specialists shared best practices during the two online sessions keeping critical relationships current and skills sharp.

The State of North Carolina and FEMA are announcing more than $2 million to reimburse Hurricane Florence-related expenses for Sanford utility repairs. The funds reimburse repairs made to the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Repairs included removing and replacing destroyed electrical and mechanical components critical to the plant’s operations. FEMA has approved a total of more than $2.4 million in Hurricane Florence-related expenses to the City of Sanford.

Governor Roy Cooper is urging people along the North Carolina coast to pay close attention to Tropical Storm Arthur, the first named storm of the year. “Everyone in our coastal areas should remain aware and cautious as Arthur brushes our coast on Monday,” said Governor Cooper. “Pay close attention to the forecast and don’t take chances in dangerous surf.”