Newsletter from the Office of Sen. Angela R. Bryant


     

Halifax, Nash, Vance, Warren and Wilson Counties

District – 4

Senator Angela R. Bryant

Volume 14, Issue XI

August 30, 2016

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NEWS FROM RALEIGH…

I always welcome your comments, project updates, suggestions, and visits. My office door and electronic door are always open to you!  You are also invited to attend any and all Sessions and Committees.  Visit the website for Session and Committee meeting times.  As always, thank you for your support!

 

NEWSLETTER NEWS:

  • EVENTS AROUND THE DISTRICT AND MORE: Maria Parham Medical Center Ribbon Cutting and Open House; Dads Play Key Role In Child Development; State Of North Carolina Restores 50% Cut To Senior Discounts For Camping At Kerr Lake & Ups The Discount For All State Parks
  • GRANT OPPORTUNITIES, AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS: NC Housing Finance Supports  Person Below 50% Median Income Level; N.C. Wesleyan College Title III Grant; NCCDD Announces Notice of Funds Available for New Initiative; N.C. Wesleyan College CSX Announcement
  • LEGISLATIVE NEWS: General Assembly Of North CarolinaSession 2015 Session Law 2016-75 House Bill 523
  • EDUCATION NEWS: Young Entrepreneurs Academy Program at NC Wesleyan College; For Educators K-12 Arts R4 Life Conference – ARTS R 4 LIFE
  • IN THE NEWS: Warren Record; Wilson Times; Henderson Daily Dispatch; Rocky Mount Telegram; Daily Herald

·         SIDE NOTE: Senator Bryant’s 2015-2016 Standing Committees

  • YOUR KIND WORDS ARE APPRECIATED: “Thank YouLetters
  • SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: Facebook and Twitter

                                                               

 

 

SIDE NOTE:

Senator Bryant’s 2015-2016

Standing Committees:

 

Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources Committee

 

Appropriations/Base Budget Committee

 

Appropriations on Natural and Economic Resources Committee

 

Commerce Committee

 

Education/Higher Education Committee

 

Judiciary I Committee

 

Pensions & Retirement and Aging Committee

 

Workforce and Economic Development Committee

 

EVENTS AROUND THE DISTRICT AND MORE:

Senator Bryant was awarded the “Rev. C.H. Richardon-Friend of The Tribe Award” from the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe at the Tribal Awards Annual Banquet on June 18th

o   African American Cultural Festival: Sat., September 17, 2016, Live entertainment, African Dance, Historical Exhibits, Walking Tour, vendors and festival food. Location: Historic Courthouse Square, Warrenton, NC. 919-702-3701.

o   Annual Awards Banquet: The Annual Awards Banquet will be held on Thurs., September 22, 2016 at the Henderson Vance Farmers Market, 210 Southpark Drive, Henderson, NC. Nomination forms can be found on our website, www.kerrtarcog.org, and forms must be back to Gina Parham no later than Monday, August 15th. If you have any questions please contact Gina Parham at gparham@kerrtarcog.org.

o   Annual Awards Banquet: The Annual Awards Banquet will be held on Thurs., September 22, 2016 at the Henderson Vance Farmers Market, 210 Southpark Drive, Henderson, NC. Nomination forms can be found on our website, www.kerrtarcog.org, and forms must be back to Gina Parham no later than Monday, August 15th. If you have any questions please contact Gina Parham at gparham@kerrtarcog.org.

o   Farm-to-Table Family Style Dinner The Young Ambassadors Circle (“YAC”) will be hosting a Farm-to-Table Family Style Dinner on Tuesday, September 27th at 6pm. The dinner will be held at Rocky Mount Mill. This will be YAC’s first signature event and will be supporting the Pediatric Behavioral Health Activities Program at Nash Health Care. Contact Erika Thompsen at elthompsen@nhcs.org or 252-962-8585.

o   Free Over the Counter (OTC) Medicine Giveaway Day: Fri., Sept. 30th from 9 am-2 pm Cardinal is sponsoring a Med Assist event at Halifax Community College. They are looking for vendors to participate in the health fair as well as volunteers to help distribute the OTC medications. The medicines to be distributed include but are not limited to allergy relief, pain relief, indigestion relief, cold and flu medicine, first-aid, and vitamins. Interested individuals and large groups from local businesses, churches, sororities, and fraternities are encouraged to contact Gina Dement at gina.dement@cardinalinnovations.org.

o   Homegrown Leaders: Wed. Oct. 12th at Southwestern Community College, Sylva, Wed. Nov. 16th at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Cherokee, and Wed. Dec. 14th at Entegra Bank, Franklin the North Carolina Rural Center will host the Rural Economic Development Institute which takes a deeper approach into rural economic development and leadership development. For more information contact Sarah Thompson at sarah@regiona.org or Misty Herget at mherget@ncruralcenter.org. To apply, visit www.southwesterncc.edu/sbc.

o   Founder’s Day Celebration: Thurs., October 20th, 10 am at the Dunn Center, North Carolina Wesleyan College will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the college’s founding. You are encouraged to attend and be a part of this historic occasion. Contact Mark Hinson at 252.985.5145

o   Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses: Mon. Feb. 13th, The Support Center will host Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business classes at Babson College, where you will be able to gain practical skills to help you take your business to the next level. To learn more or apply, please visit their website at www.10skbapply.com or call 617-238-3028 for more information. The deadline to apply is Wed. Oct. 5th.

 

AND MORE:

 

 

Maria Parham Medical Center Ribbon Cutting and Open House

July 14th

 

 

 

 

 

(At left) Brian Sinotte, CEO of Maria Parham Hospital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dads Play Key Role In Child Development

 

Date:

July 14, 2016

Source:

Michigan State University

Summary:

Fathers play a surprisingly large role in their children’s development, from language and cognitive growth in toddlerhood to social skills in fifth grade, according to new research.

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FULL STORY

Fathers have an important role to play in the development of their children, say researchers.

Credit: © brainsil / Fotolia

Fathers play a surprisingly large role in their children’s development, from language and cognitive growth in toddlerhood to social skills in fifth grade, according to new findings from Michigan State University scholars.

The research provides some of the most conclusive evidence to date of fathers’ importance to children’s outcomes and reinforces the idea that early childhood programs such as Head Start should focus on the whole family, including mother and father alike. The findings are published online in two academic journals, Early Childhood Research Quarterly and Infant and Child Development.

“There’s this whole idea that grew out of past research that dads really don’t have direct effects on their kids, that they just kind of create the tone for the household and that moms are the ones who affect their children’s development,” said Claire Vallotton, associate professor and primary investigator on the research project. “But here we show that fathers really do have a direct effect on kids, both in the short term and long term.”

Using data from about 730 families that participated in a survey of Early Head Start programs at 17 sites across the nation, the researchers investigated the effects of parents’ stress and mental health problems such as depression on their children. Parental stress and mental health issues affect how parents interact with their children and, subsequently, childhood development.

The study found that fathers’ parenting-related stress had a harmful effect on their children’s cognitive and language development when the children were 2 to 3 years old, even when the mothers’ influences were taken into account. This impact varied by gender; fathers’ influence, for example, had a larger effect on boys’ language than girls’ language.

Another key finding: Fathers’ and mothers’ mental health had a similarly significant effect on behavior problems among toddlers. Further, fathers’ mental health had a long-term impact, leading to differences in children’s social skills (such as self-control and cooperation) when the children reached fifth grade. In fact, fathers’ depression symptoms when children were toddlers were more influential on children’s later social skills than were mothers’ symptoms.

In sum, the findings contribute to the small but growing collection of research affirming the effects of fathers’ characteristics and father-child relationship qualities on children’s social development, rather than just the fathers’ residence in the home or presence in the child’s life, according to the paper published in Early Childhood Research Quarterly.

Tamesha Harewood, lead author on the paper in Infant and Child Development, said fathers, in addition to mothers, should be included in parenting research and family-intervention programs and policies.

“A lot of family-risk agencies are trying get the dad more involved, but these are some of the things they could be missing,” said Harewood, a researcher in MSU’s Department of Human Development and Family Studies. “When the agency is talking with the dad, it’s not just about providing for your child economically, but also to be there for your child, to think about how stress or depression might be influencing your child. In order to understand and help children in their development, there needs to be a comprehensive view of the whole family, including both mom and dad.”

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                                NEWS                                     for immediate use

CONTACT:  Frank Timberlake (919) 269-4300                                                                      July 15, 2016   info@kerrlakeparkwatch.org                                                                  

 

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA RESTORES 50% CUT TO SENIOR DISCOUNTS FOR CAMPING AT KERR LAKE & UPS THE DISCOUNT FOR ALL STATE PARKS

Great News for Older Campers and for Tourism in Kerr Lake Counties in NC

Kerr Lake Park Watch has been notified by the NC Division of State Parks that the 50% cut for discounts to senior citizens who camp at Kerr Lake has been rescinded and the full discount of $6 per night for seniors 62 years of age and older has been restored.  In addition, that discount now applies throughout the entire park system for the State of North Carolina.

For more than a week though, the Reserve America system that takes NC State Parks reservations would not give campers the $6 senior discount, only the $3.  But as of sometime Thursday, the computer glitches in Reserve America’s system were fixed and the statewide $6 per night senior discount restored.

For a number of years, senior campers at any of the seven Kerr Lake NC State Recreation areas have enjoyed a $6 per night discount applied when they made their reservations.  Around the first of May of this year, the Division of State Parks and Recreation which manages all state parks including the recreation areas at Kerr Lake put a “dynamic rate plan” into effect and at the same time, cut the senior citizen discount from $6 to $3 per night or by 50%.  One of the Kerr Lake Park Watch members was in the process of booking a site and noticed the change; almost immediately, several other campers found out about the change.

A news release and several radio broadcasts brought an initial response from NC State Parks that there had been no cut in the senior discount for camping.  Adrian O’Neal, Chief of Operations told Kerr Lake Park Watch that sometimes when implementing something new like dynamic pricing that related items are inadvertently affected.  O’Neal stated, “After some additional research, it seems there has been some inconsistency in the administration of the Senior Discount (for camping) not only at Kerr Lake, but throughout the system.  To remedy this, we will be restoring a statewide $6 Senior Discount (for camping).  I assure you this was not an attempt to sneak in a price increase.  With that said, we are implementing a model that does charge premium rates for premium times such as holidays and weekends in season, but additionally, provides for reduced rates during off peak times such as weekdays and winter months. This model is used widely throughout the travel industry.  You will also see some minor increases in entrance fees later this year.   Again, we hope dynamic pricing will allow us to make fee changes incrementally so visitors will not see drastic changes from year to year and can plan appropriately for upcoming visits.

“The members and the leadership of Kerr Lake Park Watch are pleased with the swift action by the Division of State Parks to restore the senior citizen discount to 100% of what it was at Kerr Lake.  It’s even better that the discount has been further extended, uniformly, to all state parks in North Carolina,” said Kerr Lake Park Watch’s Lead for Public Affairs, Frank Timberlake adding, “As far as Reserve America, we’re used to their glitches and foul-ups.”

Timberlake added, “Regarding the dynamic pricing, we now have the beginnings of a rate schedule from O’Neal and that helps.  We will study it and at the same time listen to our members and the public to gather any and all reactions.”

“People sometimes forget that yes, sometimes we are a whistle blowing operation, but that we also are a strong support group of our rangers, our maintenance professionals, other park personnel and the parks themselves.  We appreciate the way that Mr. O’Neal stepped up to our issues and the way he and the other leaders dealt with them quickly and to our members’ satisfaction.  I truly appreciate Mr. O’Neal’s interest in Kerr Lake Park Watch and his spending time to find out more about what we see as opportunities and issues, said Timberlake.”

Regarding rate increases, most Kerr Lake campers who talk to members and leaders of Kerr Lake Park Watch are not opposed to incremental rates increases as long as they see money being put back into the parks for things like improved campsites with more camping pad gravel, improved bath facilities and possibly lighted boat ramps operated by the park system.

 

###

Names and contacts of public officials with Kerr Lake management responsibilities can be furnished by contacting KLPW at info@kerrlakeparkwatch.org.

 

 

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GRANT OPPORTUNITIES, AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS:

 

NC Housing Finance Supports  Person Below 50% Median Income Level

 

NC Housing Finance supports 3.5 million has been made available for the Supportive Housing Development Program to finance housing with services for persons with a variety of special needs who are below 50% of median income.  The St. John Community Development Corporation will receive $700,000 for the rehabilitation of the Renaissance Apartments located in Wilson.

 

The development is the rehabilitation of the upper story of a two-story historic building that will provide 16 units of permanent housing for very low-income persons. Four units will be set aside for persons with disabilities. The site is located on Nash Street in downtown Wilson. The first floor of the building has been renovated and is occupied by 4 commercial tenants including a pharmacy.   The units for persons with disabilities will contribute to meeting the State’s obligation under the current US Department of Justice Settlement Agreement.

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N.C. Wesleyan College Title III Grant

 

This grant was received for the college to do extensive work on technology improvements to have a direct impact on the college’s growth and retention. Construction work is nearly completed on the library for the new learning commons. New desks and chairs have been ordered as well. The Title III team is meeting weekly to discuss goals and implementation. Interviews are being conducted for the Institutional Analyst position. Ayra Sundbom has been hired as the Instructional Technologist and will start on July 18th. The Starfish Retention software is being tested and students’ profiles are being loaded into the system. Cat 6 Wiring is being placed in Braswell and campus wide interconnections are being upgraded from 1.0 Gbps to 10.0 Gbps. JRM Admissions Software has been implemented and the admissions team has been trained. It will go live in August. We are still in the first year phase of the three projects.

 

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NCCDD Announces Notice of Funds Available for New Initiative

 

 

Supported Living: Making the Difference
Deadline to apply: October 10, 2016

 

Funds are available for an initiative addressing ways to increase community living for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.

 

You can review and apply for the RFA by clicking the link below:

 

Supported Living: Making the Difference

The NCCDD will make available an award of $100,000 each year for up to three years with a required minimum of 25 percent non-federal matching funds. The first year of the initiative will begin on January 1, 2017 and end on December 31, 2017.

 

If you intend to apply, you may click the intent to apply form to submit an email indicating your intention to apply by September 14, 2016. While it is strongly encouraged that you complete an Intent to Apply form, it is not required. Also completing an Intent to Apply form does not obligate you to submit a completed application should you determine that your organization cannot carry out the goals of the RFA.

 

Bidder’s Workshop and Informational Conference Call

 

A Bidder’s Workshop and informational conference call will be held on September 14, 2016 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM (EDT). You can RSVP by e-mail at RFAinfo@nccdd.org by September 13, 2016.

 

Interested applicants are encouraged to attend the Bidder’s Workshop in person. The Bidder’s Workshop will be at the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities Offices located at 3125 Poplarwood Ct., Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27604. Click here for driving directions.

 

If you cannot attend in person, you can connect to the informational conference call by dialing:

(877) 848-7030
Access Code: 4460894

Questions?

Please send any questions in writing by September 9, 2016 to RFAinfo@nccdd.org or FAX: (919) 850-2915. Please use the subject headline, “RFA Question – Supported Living: Making The Difference.”

All answers to written questions will be posted on the DD Suite website by Sept. 21, 2016.

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N.C. Wesleyan College CSX Announcement

 

On July 19th, in the Dunn Center, we were honored to be a part of the CSX/Gateway Partnership announcement – one of the largest economic announcements for the state of NC in quite some time.  CSX will be building an intermodal terminal, called the Carolina Connector, a few miles from the College, just inside Edgecombe County.  CSX will be investing over $270M into the community over the next few years which includes over 300 permanent, full-time jobs in Rocky Mount.  CSX has also expressed some interest in partnering with Wesleyan in many different ways and we hope to share more news about that in the future.  You may visit the project website for more information regarding the Carolina Connector project.  The project fact sheet may also be helpful if would rather see facts in writing.

 

 

       Nashville Town Manager, Henry “Hank” Paper                                                               Senator Angela Bryant and CSX Governmental     

      Affairs and Edgecombe County Manager, Eric Evans                                                               Representative, Rick Zechini

 

 

                                                          Rocky Mount City Manager, Charles Penny; Senator Angela Bryant;

                                                                                      Former Governors Mike Easley and Jim Hunt

 

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LEGISLATIVE NEWS:

 GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2015 SESSION LAW 2016-75 HOUSE BILL 523

 

AN ACT TO DIRECT THE DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO USE A CERTAIN DESIGNATION ON DRIVERS LICENSES WHEN LISTING THE RACE OF AN APPLICANT WHO IS AMERICAN INDIAN.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1. G.S. 20-7(n) reads as rewritten:

“(n) Format. – A drivers license issued by the Division must be tamperproof and must contain all of the following information:

The Commissioner shall ensure that applicants 21 years old or older are issued drivers licenses and special identification cards that are printed in a horizontal format. The Commissioner shall ensure that applicants under the age of 21 are issued drivers licenses and special identification cards that are printed in a vertical format, that distinguishes them from the horizontal format, for ease of identification of individuals under age 21 by members of industries that regulate controlled products that are sale restricted by age and law enforcement officers enforcing these laws.

At the request of an applicant for a drivers license, a license issued to the applicant must contain the applicant’s race.race, which shall be designated with the letters “AI” for an applicant who is American Indian.”

 

SECTION 2. This act becomes effective October 1, 2016, and applies to drivers licenses issued or renewed on or after that date.

 

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 29th day of June, 2016.

s/ Harry Brown

Presiding Officer of the Senate

s/ Tim Moore

Speaker of the House of Representatives

s/ Pat McCrory

Governor

Approved 9:04 a.m. this 30th day of June, 2016

 

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EDUCATION NEWS:

 

Young Entrepreneurs Academy Program at NC Wesleyan College

For the third year, North Carolina Wesleyan College is offering the Young Entrepreneurs Academy program in our community for local middle and high school students.

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a groundbreaking and exciting year-long class that transforms middle and high school students into REAL, confident entrepreneurs.  Throughout the class, students develop business ideas, write business plans, conduct market research, pitch their plans to a panel of investors, and actually launch and run their own real, legal, fully formed companies and social movements.

There are many ways in which the community can support students in this exciting program  If you are interested in becoming involved with this program, please contact me at ddrye@ncwc.edu or (252) 985-5276.  Visit www.yeausa.org  for additional information about the program.

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FOR EDUCATORS K-12

 

Arts R4 Life Conference – ARTS R 4 LIFE Professional Development Opportunity, Saturday, September 10th at Meredith College

 

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction is partnering with Meredith College to host the second annual “ARTS R4 Life” professional development conference for NC K-12 Arts Educators in Dance, Music, Theatre Arts, and Visual Arts. Pre-service arts educators and faculty from Institutes of Higher Education interested in K-12 arts education are also encouraged to attend.  The conference is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 10, 2016. Registration and payment must be received at NCDPI by September 2, 2016.  Read more at: http://ances.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/Professional+Development or register online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ArtsR4Life16. For questions about the conference, please contact: Christie Lynch Ebert (christie.lynchebert@dpi.nc.gov or 919?807?3856) or Slater Mapp (slater.mapp@dpi.nc.gov or

919?807?3758). For questions specific to your registration or payment, please contact: Sara Reams(sara.reams@dpi.nc.gov or 919?807?3809).

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IN THE NEWS:

Warren Record

o   The Warren County Board of Education named new principals for Vaughan Elementary School and Warren County Middle School during its Aug. 9 regular meeting. Brian Biles of Wake Forest became principal at Vaughan on Monday. Noland Hicks of New Bern was named principal at WCMS. http://www.warrenrecord.com/news/article_a51bfd6a-649e-11e6-9a2d-3f8ab6c02564.html

o   The 27th Annual Tar River Festival is planned for Saturday, Sept. 10, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The rain-or-shine event, hosted by the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, will be held in downtown Louisburg and River Bend Park. http://www.warrenrecord.com/arts_entertainment/article_4bfc1330-60a9-11e6-8fbf-bbdb8098e59d.html

o   Make a date to attend the 32nd Littleton-Lake Gaston Festival in downtown Littleton Sept. 2-3. http://www.warrenrecord.com/arts_entertainment/article_7a0c1f60-649e-11e6-a39b-9b0e3a32acfe.html

 

Wilson Times

 

o   National Night Out will be held in conjunction will be held in conjunction with First Fridays concert this Friday. Agencies will be participating in the event as a way to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community. The event wil take place at the Boykin Center. 

o   http://www.wilsontimes.com/stories/Tunes-tap-and-crime-prevention,70715?

o   The Wilson branch of the NAACP will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Branford Center, 2312 Howard Jones Court. The topic of discussion is “An Underserved Community: U.S. 301 Corridor.” For more information, call 252-991-6640.  

o   http://www.wilsontimes.com/stories/Community-Briefs,70659?

o   Sheryletta Lacewell of Wilson was named the 2016 Volunteer of the Year by the N.C. Festival and Events Association for her 11 years of work with the Whirlgig festival. For more information, go to www.whirligigfestivalnc.org.

o   http://www.wilsontimes.com/stories/Key-volunteer-for-Whirligig-Festival-honored,70563?

o   The North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program for Judicial District 7 will be offering guardian ad litem training for new volunteer advocates beginning in September. A guardian ad litem is a trained child advocate who is appointed, along with an attorney, to investigate and determine the needs of abused and neglected children who have been petitioned into the court system by the Department of Social Services. Prospective volunteers are asked to call Judith Jones at 252-574-3121 or visit www.volunteerforgal.org to complete an application and secure a spot in the upcoming training session.

o   http://www.wilsontimes.com/stories/Guardian-ad-litem-program-seeks-child-advocates,70512?

o   This year’s Constitution Day event at Barton College will feature N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice Robin E. Hudson. The Sept. 19 event is from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Willis N. Hackney Library and includes a reception, program and question-and-answer session. She is the first North Carolina woman elected to the appellate court division without having been appointed first. http://www.wilsontimes.com/stories/Hudson-to-speak-at-Barton-Constitution-Day-event,71284?

o   A back-to-school community cookout is planned from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Bailey-Middlesex Community Park. The Nash County Recreation and Senior Services Department is organizing the inaugural event. For more information, call program coordinator Cindy Fergeson at 252-467-2447. http://www.wilsontimes.com/stories/Cookout-planned-Saturday,71240?

o   Springfield Middle School Principal Pattie Barnes has accepted a position at the Wilson County Schools Central Office as the multi-tiered system support coach. http://www.wilsontimes.com/stories/Barnes-makes-the-move-to-central-office,71197?

o   With the third highest unemployment rate in the state here, Opportunities Industrialization Center in Wilson helps job-seekers bolster their skills and connect with potential employers to the tune of one job placement a day on average. Since July 1, OIC has placed 30 people with 23 employers throughout the region. To learn more about the NCWorks Career Center at 302 Tarboro St. W. in Wilson, call 234-1129. To learn more about OIC of Wilson at 901 Reid St. E. in Wilson, call 291-0038.  http://www.wilsontimes.com/stories/Programs-assist-with-job-placement,71167?

o   A decision by the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on Wednesday ruled against the expansion of Wilson’s broadband service beyond the Wilson County limits. The Federal Communications Commission sided with Wilson in 2015 when North Carolina barred Greenlight from expanding into underserved nearby markets such as Pinetops. Officials appealed the decision and the 6th Circuit heard the case in March.  http://www.wilsontimes.com/stories/Court-halts-Greenlight-expansion,70999?

o   Recent unemployment statistics place Wilson County at the third-highest county jobless rate in North Carolina. http://www.wilsontimes.com/stories/Wilson-County-sees-spike-in-unemployment,70927?

 

 

Henderson Daily Dispatch

 

o   The Vance County Department of Social Services is looking for someone to fill the position of director.

o    http://www.hendersondispatch.com/news/social-services-seeking-new-director/article_6b904c79-83cd-57bc-9088-7b8818f97730.html

o   The Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission will be hosting its first-ever Harvest Moonlight Gala in downtown Henderson on Saturday, Sept. 24, at 6:30 p.m. The Henderson event will follow the model of a farm-to-table dinner and will feature a three-course fixed menu with wine pairings for each course. The dinner will be served outside on one long farmhouse table on Young Street. The table will be set for 120 people with tickets running at $50 apiece. http://www.hendersondispatch.com/news/a-moonlit-fundraiser-to-help-downtown-revitalization-efforts/article_1665a034-0990-5464-ad54-1f565cd13880.html

o   The Honorable J. Henry Banks was recently appointed the next chief judge of North Carolina’s 9th Judicial District. Banks will be taking over the position Sept. 1 from Judge Daniel Finch, who is retiring at the end of this month after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 72. http://www.hendersondispatch.com/news/new-chief-district-court-judge-appointed/article_7e8290f4-1fe4-5a29-be06-62e765a8518b.html

 

 

Rocky Mount Telegram

 

o   Anyone interested in finding out more about recent school legislation or voter identification court rulings can attend a town hall-like meeting Thursday in Rocky Mount. State and local officials will be on hand to discuss and provide updates on education, voting, economic development and community action.

o   http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/News/2016/08/03/Meeting.html

o   The Rocky Mount Housing Authority has a new leader. Kelvin L. Macklin has been tapped to lead the organization as its new CEO.  Macklin is a Rocky Mount native and a graduate of N.C. Central University.

o   http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/News/2016/08/02/City-names-new-housing-chief.html

o   To help motivate and inspire kids to discover their potential, the Harrison Family YMCA has opened registration for their before- and after-school programs to school-aged children throughout Nash and Edgecombe counties. Financial assistance is also available to those in need to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn and grow at the YMCA. You must apply at the YMCA.

o   http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/Community/2016/08/04/YMCA-opens-two-new-after-school-program-sites.html

o   The South Rocky Mount Community Center has officially reopened. More information on the South Rocky Mount Community Center is available online at http://www.rockymountnc.gov/parks.   http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/News/2016/08/16/Revamped-community-center-reopens-1.html

o   Cargo Transporters Inc. is in the process of hiring local truck drivers after recently announcing the start-up of operations at the company’s new property in Rocky Mount. Pope said Cargo Transporters will look to hire positions outside of truck drivers in the future. Drivers interested in coming to Friday’s hiring event can learn more about the company by calling the recruitment line at (828) 459-3285 or visiting www.cargotransporters.com.  http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/News/2016/08/16/Trucking-firm-looks-to-hire-drivers.html

o   The Nash-Rocky Mount Board of Education recently approved the appointments of four new principals. Jennifer Sharpe was named as the new principal of Nash-Rocky Mount Early College High School. Hugh Scott has been appointed as principal of Tar River Academy. http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/Community/2016/08/07/Nash-Rocky-Mount-names-new-principals-1.html

o   Barbara Waskowiak who has been an area resident for 28 years and has lived in Nash County for 10 years, recently was named the new Nash County Travel and Tourism executive director. http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/News/2016/08/09/Nash-County-names-new-tourism-director.html

o   Dorothy L. Hinton has been at the helm of Communities in Schools of the Rocky Mount Region since July 1. Hinton replaced Sherron Deal as executive director of the organization. http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/News/2016/08/09/New-leader-takes-helm-of-Communities-in-Schools.html

o   One of Rocky Mount’s finest has been named the new head of one of North Carolina’s state law enforcement organizations. Lt. Henry King was recently named president of the N.C. Internal Affairs Investigators Association. http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/News/2016/08/11/City-officer-tapped-to-lead-state-internal-affairs-group.html

o   A recent high school honor student has been appointed to serve on a council overseeing the state government internship program. Colby Kirkpatrick, 19, graduated from Rocky Mount Academy last year and attends the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill as a recipient of the prestigious Morehead-Cain Scholarship. http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/News/2016/08/12/Teen-tapped-for-state-intern-council.html

 

 

The Daily Herald

 

o   Littleton/Lake Gaston Festival now in its 32nd year. This year’s event is set for the evening of Sept. 2 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 3 in downtown Littleton.  For more information, contact Hogan at 252-586-6828 or heidighogan@embarqmail.com; or Theron Sharber at 252-586-4681 or sharber2606@gmail.com.  

o   http://www.rrdailyherald.com/news/crafters-vendors-wanted/article_03bc3d10-5358-11e6-8ae1-df31bba1ed28.html

o   Safelite Group is permanently closing the doors of its Enfield facility on Oct. 10, Halifax County Board of Commissioners Chairman Vernon Bryant confirmed. At least 200 people are expected to lose their jobs. http://www.rrdailyherald.com/news/safelite-s-enfield-plant-closure-is-absolutely-devastating-hcedc-leader/article_62f6b8f8-5e45-11e6-adfa-13b0bcda6a44.html

o   When Kathleen Robinson moved to Roanoke Rapids a couple of years ago, she said she was in her darkest hour. Earlier this summer, nearly 50 children went to her summer camp to learn, play and eat free meals. McCrory gave a letter of recognition in honor of Camp Save-A-Child, Robinson added. The letter thanked her for running the camp and bringing life to Roanoke Rapids. http://www.rrdailyherald.com/news/nc-governor-honors-roanoke-rapids-woman/article_093c1c1e-5c3c-11e6-9557-03c5de28140d.html

 

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YOUR KIND WORDS ARE APPRECIATED:

 

Dear Senator Bryant:

 

   I am writing to you on behalf of Warren County Memorial Library in Warrenton, North Carolina, to thank you for your leadership and support of our rural communities. The Warren County Memorial Library received a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, a Division of the Department of Cultural Resources, during the 2015-2016 funding cycle to support a writing and quilting project. Warren County, although rural and economically challenged, is rich in cultural traditions and folkways. The North Carolina Arts Council project, Stitching Life Stories, provided an opportunity to build upon and preserve pieces of the country’s rich history and traditions. It is our vision to sustain the project goals through continued partnerships with local quilters and writers.

 

Sincerely,

 

Cheryl L. Reddish, Director

Warren County Memorial Library

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Senator Bryant,

 

   As our fiscal year comes to a close, Nash Arts would like to thank you for your support of the North Carolina Arts Council’s Grassroots Arts Funding Program. The Nash County Arts Council was awarded $23,023 through this program. The Nash County Arts Council presented (3) concerts under its African American Music Trail Series, a total of (6) week long summer camps for children & youth, (6) concerts under its Minor Concerts Series which featured local & regional musical acts; (2) plays under its North Carolina Playwright’s Series including a modernized (adapted) version of a Christmas Carol based on  Charles Dickens’ novella, which featured a diverse cast of children and youth, and included original music by local composer James Lee, and An Evening of One Acts which included the works of local playwright James Lee, James Singleton, & Steven B. Pavelsky, & a total of (6) art exhibits featuring the works of local and regional visual artists. The Nash County Arts Council also hosted yoga classes for ages 16 through adult.

 

   Of the $23,023 Grass Arts Program Award, Nash Arts sub-granted $11,512 to their Nash County organizations to assist with their arts related and multicultural programming. Sub-grant recipients included the city of Rocky Mount for their Downtown Live! Summer Music Series, the Nashville Chamber of Commerce for their annual Nashville Blooming Festival, & The Tar River Choral & Orchestral Society for “Intro to the Orchestra” for all fifth graders of the Nash Rocky Mount Public Schools as well as private and home school students.

 

   Overall, more than 40,000 Nash County Residents were reached through the Grassroots Arts Program, which would not have been possible without this support of the Grassroots Arts Program.

 

   Again, we thank you for your support of the Grassroots Arts Program and your ability to recognize the importance of the arts and its community enhancement.

 

Sincerely,

 

Shelly F. Gray, Director

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Senator Bryant,

 

   On behalf of the Vance County Arts Council I would like to thank you for making the decision during the last session for an increase of $500,000 for Grassroots Art Funding. These funds will make a great impact on Vance County because they will provide a diverse menu of art opportunities that will impact: arts in schools, administration overhead, seasonal concerts, programming for adult and children of various disabilities, sub-grants to community agencies, and much more.

 

   Vance County has a new Performing Art Center that is in the core of downtown Henderson. The area is a primary spot to host a variety of art related activities for the community. The extra monies made available due to your actions will ensure that a majority of the art experience will be free to the public. You are invited to attend activities and programs sponsored by our organization. Information and pictures about programming is available at: www.vancecoutyards.com.

 

   Again I would like to thank you on behalf of the Vance County Arts Council for your service to the citizens of this grate state in which we live, North Carolina.

 

Respectfully Yours,

 

Dr. Alice C. Sallins

Executive Director VCAC

 

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