Mental health support provided by the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office

Buncombe County, NC – The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office continues to prioritize the mental health of deputies and staff, especially in the wake of Hurricane Helene. They collaborate with Responder Support Services to provide necessary mental health resources.

A focus on emotional support is vital as the county rebuilds after the hurricane. Helpful strategies for mental health care include staying connected with others, establishing routines, and limiting exposure to news.

Residents are encouraged to take care of themselves and seek professional support if needed. Support hotlines are available, such as the Crisis Text Line by texting “HOME” to 741741 and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

Responder Support Services is dedicated to providing confidential support to first responders. The community is urged to prioritize mental health as part of the recovery process.

North Bergen Police Attend Annual Mayor’s Ball

North Bergen, NJ – Members of the North Bergen Police Benevolent Association, locals 18 and 18, gathered at the annual Mayor’s Ball on Thursday to honor Mayor Nicholas J. Sacco. The event showed the support of police unions for the municipal administration.

Lt. Alex J. Barrios, president of the SOA, and Corporal James Vangelakos, president of the PBA, attended the ball on behalf of the police unions. They joined Public Safety Commissioner Allen Pascual at the celebratory event.

The Mayor’s Ball provided an opportunity for various representatives of the municipality to collaborate and strengthen ties. Police Chief Robert J. Farley Jr. was also present for the occasion.

The event was an important platform for law enforcement personnel and municipal figures to connect and engage in community-building activities.
Third graders visit the Newport News Police Department

Newport News, VA – Third graders from An Achievable Dream Academy recently visited the Newport News Police Department headquarters. The visit gave students a first-hand look at the work of the NNPD K-9 Unit and Drone Team.

During the visit, officers performed demonstrations of K-9 obedience and bomb detection. The Drone team demonstrated its capabilities in heat detection.

Students also had the opportunity to interact with K-9 PJ, who warmly greeted visiting children. The interaction was part of an educational experience with the aim of fostering understanding of police operations.
Buncombe County Court Announces Operational Changes

Asheville, NC -*The Buncombe County Courthouse has resumed operations from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm following outages caused by Hurricane Helene. The facility’s bathrooms have been temporarily moved outside in the form of portable toilets.

Jurors were dismissed for the rest of the month. Those represented by attorneys should contact their legal representatives for updates.

District and Superior Courts have reopened. However, it is likely that numerous cases will be postponed, particularly cases in custody and first court hearings.

Civil superior trials originally scheduled for October are postponed until November 1st. Motion hearings will occur via Webex unless alternative arrangements are made with the Trial Court Coordinator. Individuals without internet access may access court facilities for remote hearings, and inquiries should be directed to the Trial Court Coordinator, John Rogers.

The court recommends minimizing physical visits despite the resumption of operations. Electronic filing options remain available at NCCourts.gov, and the filing deadline has been extended to October 28.