Richard Burr Newsletter: New legislation including a Charlotte weather radar update, pandemic and bio attack preparedness, drugs for rare diseases, conservation, and a visit from some Wilmington guide dogs in training. Last week, Congress voted again to reject the President’s nuclear deal with Iran. I still firmly believe that this deal with Iran is not in the best interest of the American people, or our allies. It is a self-evident fact that Iran has a horrific record of complying with …
Month: September 2015
Tuesday Open Line
The average age of the American population is on a steady climb, and the national median is around 37. As people grow older, many tend to become a little vague about their exact age. After about 85, though, they tend to become proud of their longevity. Not too many years ago, someone who had lived to be 100 was a true rarity. Even today, those reaching 100 are contacted by the White House, and often the national and local media. …
Elissa Yount: Election Choices
A new process for electing city council persons is going into effect on Oct. 6. Previously we elected the entire Council every two years. Now, the terms have be lengthened to four years. So, it is most important that you are informed with your vote. In the mayoral race, my choice is Eddie Ellington. He is intelligent, energetic, and researches. He has the ability to draw all parts of our city together. Eddie will make a fine ambassador for our …
NCDA&CS identifies alfalfa hay contaminated with blister beetles sold in Louisburg
RALEIGH – State officials have determined that a single load of alfalfa hay, originating in Kansas and delivered to Murphy Farm Hay and Feed in Louisburg on Aug. 11, was the source of blister beetle contamination. The bales from this load of hay were bound with a reddish-orange twine. Murphy Farm Hay and Feed sold much of this hay at retail, as well as further distributed hay from this single load to Jones Farm Hay and Feed in Middlesex. No …
Butterfield Recognizes Rev. Dr. William Barber, II with CBC Chair Award
WASHINGTON, DC – Tomorrow, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) will present the CBC Chair Award to Rev. Dr. William Barber, II during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 45th Annual Legislative Conference Phoenix Awards Dinner. Rev. Dr. Barber serves as president of the North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP. “I am proud to present the CBC Chair Award to my constituent and dear friend, Reverend Dr. William Barber, II,” said Butterfield. “Rev. Dr. Barber has dedicated his life to advocating …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: Ensuring Women’s Access to Quality Healthcare
Video of the Week: On Friday, I had the opportunity to speak on the House floor about the need to defund Planned Parenthood and my amendment, which will redirect this funding to other healthcare facilities to ensure that women retain access to important health services. Click here or on the picture above to watch the video. Weekly Update: This week I led several efforts to protect both women and the unborn. On Wednesday, I proposed an amendment that was …
White House Weekly Address: It’s Time for Congress To Pass a Responsible Budget
In this week’s address, the President discussed the significant progress we have made in our economy since the financial crisis seven years ago this week, and the steps we can take to build on that momentum and strengthen the economy for the long term. Thanks to the hard work and resilience of folks around the country, our businesses have created over 13 million jobs over the past 66 straight months, housing is bouncing back, manufacturing is growing again, and the …
Monday Open Line
On this date in 1959, Congress acted to help some Americans achieve minimum levels of nutrition, passing a bill that created food stamps for those with low incomes. In 2008, the Food Stamp Program was renamed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Today, there are over 46 million Americans in 13.5 percent of all households enrolled in the program, nearly double the number from 2004. The average value of the benefit they receive each month is almost $125, and …
VGCC BioWork students certified for pre-apprenticeship training
Three local residents were recently recognized as the first Vance-Granville Community College students to earn pre-apprenticeship certifications through the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the NCWorks initiative. Tranita Brown, Keith Perry and Cheryl Reddrick, all of Henderson, received certificates after completing the BioWork Process Technician program, a training course that prepares individuals for employment within bioprocess, pharmaceutical, or chemical manufacturing companies. Brown has also completed the Certified Production Technician program at VGCC. Pre-apprenticeship programs offer short-term training, allowing participants …
Christmas With The Embers December 11th, 2015
The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce is bringing “Christmas With the Embers featuring Craig Woolard” to the local community for the eighth consecutive year. The event will take place on Friday, December 11, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the new auditorium at Breckenridge Commons in Downtown Henderson. In addition to the fun-filled concert that the community has come to know and love, for the second year, there will be vendor tables set up in the entry gallery selling gifts, snacks …
Jury Duty scammers at it again
Area residents are getting calls from a phony sheriff’s deputy saying they skipped jury duty and a subsequent court date. The caller tells you that a warrant has been issued for your arrest, or soon will be, but you can pay a $900 fine now and avoid being arrested. Con artists have tried this scam in different locations across North Carolina over the years. They want to exploit your fear of getting on the wrong side of the law, and see …
N.C. Mountain State Fair celebrates record attendance for Ingles Day ahead of final weekend
FLETCHER – Beautiful weather and a great cause helped the N.C. Mountain State Fair break an attendance record Wednesday during Ingles Day. During the promotion, guests who brought five cans of Laura Lynn brand food received free gate admission for the day. “We hosted 14,882 people during Ingles Day this year, which helped us break an attendance record for Wednesday for the second year in a row,” said fair manager Matt Buchanan. “Even better, we were able to donate nearly …
Henderson Area Candidates Forum Sunday, September 20th, 2015
The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, The Daily Dispatch and WIZS 1450-AM will hold a Candidates Forum for candidates in the upcoming Municipal Election for the City of Henderson. The Forum will be held on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Vance County Commissioners’ Meeting Room on Young Street (in the former courthouse). The public is invited to attend the forum and will be given the chance to submit questions to the panel on the day of the forum. It will also be broadcast live …
Friday / Weekend Open Lines
Friday, September 18th. Early this month in 1914, the last known remaining member of a bird species some thought to have been the most abundant on Earth passed away. The death of the 29-year-old female passenger pigeon named Martha marked the extinction of the species that once covered North America with enormous flocks. Deforestation and extensive hunting reduced the flocks greatly by the second half of the 19th century, and the decline could not be reversed. Martha died in captivity …
Federal Indictment Served Against Man With Firearm Fleeing From Police
On Tuesday, September 15, 2015, members of the Henderson Police Department served a federal indictment on , 40, 130 Booth Avenue, Henderson. Bullock was taken into custody at the Vance County Jail at which time he was transported to Raleigh and placed into the custody of U. S. Marshalls. Bullock’s charges stem from an incident on February 17, 2015 in which he was found in possession of a firearm after fleeing from Henderson Police Officers. Bullock was held in custody …
NCDOT Encourages Safety Measures After Crash in Fortify Work Zone
Raleigh – A crash in the Fortify work zone in Raleigh early Wednesday morning has the North Carolina Department of Transportation reinforcing the importance for drivers to be extra careful while traveling through a work zone – for their safety as well as the safety of their their passengers, other drivers and construction crews. In Wednesday’s wreck, a dump truck on I-40 East drove off the road into a work area near Rock Quarry Road and struck a subcontractor’s truck, injuring …
Vance County Cooperative Extension Gardening Classes
This fall, Vance County Cooperative Extension will offer a series of seminars to help you become a Successful Gardener! The seminars will be held on Thursday evenings (6:30 to 8:00 pm) at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, (210 Southpark Dr. in Henderson). The cost is $15 for all four classes in the series, or $5 each a la carte. Advance registration is REQUIRED. The schedule is as follows: Class 1, Sep 24: Strategies for Creating & Maintaining a Beautiful …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of Sept. 17 on North Carolina Weekend, enjoy the great outdoors at the Roanoke Cashie River Center in Windsor. Tempt your taste buds at Pike’s Old Fashioned Soda Shop in Charlotte. Discover a variety of activities at Hill Ridge Farms in Youngsville. Get back to nature at Neuseway Nature Center in Kinston. And relax at the Bed & Breakfast on Tiffany Hill in Mills River. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by …
Tobacco Research Referendum polling location
The North Carolina Tobacco Research Referendum will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2015. Morris White, Vance County Extension Director, said one polling place has been established in the County. The polling location is the Vance County Extension Office located at 305 Young Street in Henderson. Morris White explained that the referendum is being held to let tobacco growers decide if they wish to continue the self-assessment program. This program has been in place since 1991, and the law requires …
Hit and Run Death Investigation Update
On Wednesday, September 16, 2015, members of the Henderson Police Department Criminal Investigation Division have arrested three individuals in the above referenced matter. The investigation into this matter revealed that the victim, Willard Crosson had been struck by a motor vehicle and left lying by the roadside. Rikki Jovanna Moten 18, 1013 Harriett Street, Henderson has been charged with one count of felonious hit and run failing to notify authorities. She was placed in the Vance County Jail after failing …