One of world’s most important medicines — insulin — became available for general use this month in 1923, saving the lives of millions of people suffering from diabetes. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and is critical in the processing of carbohydrates in the human body. It was first isolated the year before by a Canadian team led by Dr. Frederick Banting at the University of Toronto. The effect was like a miracle. One year, the disease was …
Month: April 2014
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: A Busy and Beautiful Spring Week in the Second District
I am so glad to be back home enjoying the beauty of the Second District in full bloom. I hope this newsletter finds you and your family rejoicing on this blessed Easter holiday weekend. Last week was the first of two back-to-back work weeks in the district, and I’ve enjoyed having the opportunity to talk with so many constituents about the issues we are working on in Washington. One of these issues – taxes – was on the mind of …
Monday Open Line
Immigration and assimilation are matters of much current debate, but in 1980, those issues came floating in on the tide. It was on this date that what’s known as the Mariel boatlift began. When Cuban ruler Fidel Castro announced that any citizens wishing to leave the police state could, the voluntary exiles made their way to the port town of Mariel, just west of Havana. During the exodus, some 125,000 Cubans crossed the Florida straits in about 5,000 small boats, …
White House Weekly Address: President Obama Offers Easter and Passover Greetings
In this week’s address, the President offers his warmest greetings as millions of Americans celebrate Easter this Sunday and recounts the Passover Seder he hosted at the White House earlier this week, joining Jewish families around the world in their celebration. The President looks forward to taking part with his family in the hope and joy of the Easter season and reminds all Americans, no matter their faith, of the common thread that binds us. Christian leaders from across the …
Rep. Baskerville Statement on Dan River Coal Ash Spill
Henderson, NC – Rep. Nathan Baskerville confirmed Thursday that Kerr Lake was retested and trace amounts of Coal Ash have been discovered. The Division of Water Resources indicated that trace amounts of coal ash have been spotted near the surface, raising concerns that more coal ash may be discovered deeper in the lake. This retesting was prompted by the efforts of Representative Baskerville and local Kerr Lake constituents. Baskerville said “these tests affirm what many Vance County residents already suspected. …
Governor McCrory Launches Major Workforce Development Initiative
Governor Pat McCrory and N.C. Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker joined state officials April 14 in announcing “NCWorks,” a major initiative that will promote one consistent, cohesive strategy for workforce development across North Carolina. “While I am continually pleased to see more and more people finding jobs in North Carolina, it is important to remain focused on getting people back to work,” said Governor McCrory. “As we continue to rebuild, I am committed to making our state stronger and more resilient. …
Vance County Schools Revised Committee Meetings
Vance County Board of Education Committee Meeting Dates: * Finance Committee, Tuesday, April 29th, 5:30 pm followed by the Policy Committee * Community Relations, Tuesday, April 29th, 6:00 pm or immediately following Policy Note: All meetings are held in the Superintendent’s Conference Room.
Edenton, Tarboro Named Official Retirement Communities
RALEIGH, NC — The North Carolina Department of Commerce announced today that Tarboro and Edenton have been designated Certified Retirement Communities. The General Assembly established the program in 2008 to designate communities that offer unprecedented quality of living that is desirable to retirees. “This designation will be a valuable economic development tool for both Tarboro and Edenton and their residents,” said Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker. “The people of Tarboro and Edenton recognize the valuable contributions that retirees can make to …
Friday / Weekend Open Line
For urban dwellers, the difficulty — or at least the expense — of doing their laundry began to ease on this date in 1934 when the first public, self-operated laundry in the U.S. opened its doors in Fort Worth, Texas. The first name was “Washateria,” eventually replaced with the now familiar “Laundromat.” Early facilities were not necessarily coin-operated, and there was always an attendant on duty. The automatic washing machine came along in 1937, and by the late 1940s, the …
RDU opens renovated Terminal 1
After nearly two years and $68 million, a new and more modern Terminal 1 is now open at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Travelers began using the renovated terminal last Sunday morning with the first departing flight going out at 6 a.m. Passengers will notice more natural light and open spaces when going through Terminal 1. Crews moved columns and walls to give the terminal, which was originally designed as a hangar, a more open feel. And for traveling convenience, Terminal 1 …
Moogfest bets on economic development
Mike Adams, president and CEO of Moog Music, which is Moogfest’s prime sponsor, is betting serious money the revamped festival that opens April 23 in Asheville is not just going to attract thousands of music fans and tech geeks. If successful, the five-day event could become Asheville’s next signature event, possibly bringing new jobs, better wages and high-growth tech companies to the mountains. Moogfest organizers believe a successful festival will brand Asheville and the rest of North Carolina as a …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of April 17 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, tempt all of your senses at the BBQ Festival on the Neuse in Kinston. “Collecting Carolina” explores Hope Plantation in Windsor. Be amazed at the Fire on the Mountain Blacksmith Festival in Spruce Pine. Step back in time at the Hezekiah Alexander Homesite in Charlotte. And the “House Special” samples the fare at Four Winds Café in Climax. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is …
Space still available for antique farm equipment at Got to Be NC Festival in May
RALEIGH — Festival organizers are still accepting applications from farm-equipment enthusiasts and tractor clubs for the farm display at the Got to Be NC Festival, May 16-18, at the State Fairgrounds. Tractors in working order also can participate in the daily tractor parade on the fairgrounds. Participation is free, but pre-registration is required. Registration forms are available online at www.gottobencfestival.com. “With about 1,000 machines, the festival is typically one of the largest showcases of antique farm equipment in the Southeast,” …
Attorney General Roy Cooper: Avoid home break-ins while on vacation
Planning to travel over Easter weekend, or looking forward to a trip later this summer? Before you leave, take some simple steps to keep your home and belongings safe while you’re away. Burglars are always on the lookout for empty houses. Protect yourself by NOT sharing your travel plans on social media sites. If a burglar knows you’ll be away, your home could be an easy target. Once you’re packed and ready to leave, follow these safety tips to get …
Rep. Baskerville Statement on Dan River Coal Ash Spill
Henderson, NC — North Carolina State Representative Nathan Baskerville released a statement today detailing his growing concerns regarding the February 2, 2014 Dan River Coal Ash spill. “It has come to my attention recently that Vance County residents have seen what they believe to be coal ash in the water at Kerr Lake. My office takes these types of calls from citizens very seriously, because we recognize the vital importance of our Kerr Lake water supply. “ Representative Baskerville has …
NCDOT Division of Aviation Sponsors Aviation Career Day for High School Students April 28
Raleigh—The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation will sponsor an Aviation Career Day for high school students at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, April 28. The event will feature speakers from a variety of high-growth aviation sectors. “This is a great opportunity for Triangle-area high school students that are in need of career and job shadowing opportunities,” said Division of Aviation Director Bobby Walston. The following career areas will be presented: Unmanned …
Thursday Open Line
April is a significant month for the American printed word. In 1800, the Library of Congress was founded, and earlier this week, in 1828, Noah Webster published the first dictionary of American English. This is also the fifth day of National Library Week, celebrating libraries, those who staff them and the billions of materials they circulate. While computers and electronic media are of increasing importance in the services libraries offer, books remain at the core of their collections, with the …
Audio: City of Henderson City Council Meeting April 14th, 2014
Listen to the audio here: [jwplayer mediaid=”58200″]
Michael Bobbitt: Notes From The Peanut Gallery (City Council Meeting April 14th, 2014)
Public Hearings The Council meeting opened with three public hearings regarding zoning ordinance changes. The first zoning ordinance change was a perfunctory exercise for the Council. Mr. Zollicoffer explained that the changes had been written and approved by the General Assembly in Raleigh and signed into law by the Governor. The Council’s options where to approve or reject the changes in whole. The Council approved the “government mandated” zoning ordinance changes. The second zoning ordinance change waived the fee charged …
Kerr Lake Art Show winners named
Entries in the 48th Annual Kerr Lake Art Show, co-sponsored by Vance-Granville Community College and the Kerr Lake Art Society, were judged and put on display for the public in the lobby of the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County, April 14-18. This year’s competition saw 21 visual artists from throughout the region submit a total of 61 works in a variety of two-dimensional media, according to Lelia Brigham of Henderson, the Kerr Lake Art Society’s …