Monday morning, President Obama visited Cannon Falls, Minnesota to kick off his economic bus tour. The President is traveling around the Midwest to stress the vital role rural America plays in ensuring the growth of our economy, the affordability of our food, the independence of our energy supply, and the strength of our communities. Cannon Falls, Minnesota, 35 miles south of Minneapolis and St. Paul, is the first stop in a three day tour across America’s heartland. President Obama took questions from small business …
Month: August 2011
SNAP-NC Wednesday at Vance County Animal Shelter
SNAP-NC is a nonprofit organization providing discounted spay-neuter services to North Carolina residents. Our Mission is to address Pet Overpopulation in our State by offering high quality, low cost spay-neuter surgeries for pets belonging to North Carolina families in need. APPOINTMENT IS REQUIRED & CAN BE MADE BY CALLING OUR OFFICE AT 919-783-7627. Dog Spay/Neuter – Includes Rabies, Distemper/Parvo vaccine & pain injection 8 to 59 lbs: $100 60 lbs and Up: $125 Cat Spay/Neuter – Includes Rabies, Distemper vaccines …
Monday Open Line
Presidents Weekly Address: Putting the American People First. While members of Congress are at home in their districts, President Obama asks Americans that agree that it’s time to put country before party and pass stalled bills to help grow our economy to let them know. In national politics, the Ames Iowa Straw Poll is in the news, with Bachmann, Paul and Pawlenty in the 1,2 and 3 positions. However, Pawlenty on Sunday announced his decision to drop out of the …
Friday / Weekend Open Line
The annual sales tax holiday weekend, held Aug. 5-7, cost North Carolina about $14.5 million, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Revenue said Thursday. Did you take advantage of the weekend? Some members of the senate are calling for the program to be re-examined as the state suffers from decreasing revenue. Should the program be stopped? Or is it a good handout to the public? You may read the full article referenced at http://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/story/9986530/ Welcome the Friday / Weekend …
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part Two
New Effects in the Final Chapter A Review by Claire Ramsey I think Peter Jackson and David Yates are secretly related. Long-lost cousins, or something. Based on my enthusiastic viewing of the final installments of the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings film series, I have to say that here are two directors who knows how to end movie series. And I think I enjoyed the last Harry Potter film – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part Two …
Henderson Commits to New Museum
Reporter – Leigh Hester – The Henderson City Council unanimously voted August 8 to accept ownership of the home of Bennett Perry to be used as a museum commemorating the history of Henderson and of Vance County. The house, which was left to the city in Mr. Perry’s will, states that the house must be maintained as a museum once accepted by the city. No endowments were left in the will to help make some of the necessary – and …
Gov. Perdue Protects Academic Integrity, Accessibility of NC Pre-Kindergarten Program
Gov. Bev Perdue today instructed the state agency in charge of North Carolina’s pre-kindergarten program to preserve the high standards, quality and accessibility of this crucial academic program for at-risk children. The General Assembly’s budget made significant changes to NC Pre-K (formerly known as More at Four). Changes include a 20 percent cut in funding that reduces the availability of the program to at-risk children, and the transfer of the program from the Department of Public Instruction to the Department …
Free Performances in Works for Vance County Students
Despite budgetary issues, the Vance County school system is still trying to provide opportunities for its students. In a partnership with the Henderson Community Concert Series, they are planning to offer free performances by the North Carolina Symphony on October 4th, 2011 and by a flamenco group in March of 2012. These events will be held at the Civic Center on the Vance Granville Community College campus.
Thursday Open Line
Demonstrators picketed the Dunn office of 2nd District Congresswoman Renee Ellmers on Wednesday, calling for more federal spending to create jobs. About two dozen demonstrators said they wanted to persuade Ellmers to change her hawkish stance on the U.S. deficit. Ellmers wasn’t at her office, but she said in a written statement that “I disagree deeply” with the protesters while respecting their opinions. You can read the full article at http://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/story/9980721/ Welcome to the Thursday Open Lines!
Motor Vehicle B&E Arrest
On August 9, 2011 around 6:23 AM officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to the Scottish Inns, 1759 N. Garnett Street, Henderson in reference to a breaking and entering to a motor vehicle that had just occurred. Officers gained a description of the suspect and of the suspect vehicle. Officers located the suspect vehicle, a brown Chevrolet truck, leaving the area on N. Chestnut Street, Henderson. A traffic stop was conducted and the passenger was identified as the suspect …
Unexpected Budget Cuts Worry School Board
Reporter – Amelia Aycock – At the August 8th, 2011, VCS School Board meeting, the air seemed thick with irritation at unexpected cuts in funding from the state. Approximately $2 million in promised educational funds have been suddenly reverted as the NC General Assembly struggle to create and approve a feasible budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. The losses include cuts to driver’s education, which will now cost Vance County students a $35 fee upon successful completion of the program. …
Water Service to Require Security Deposit
Reporter – Leigh Hester – City of Henderson water customers who are chronically late paying their water bills have a wake-up call coming. During the August 8 meeting, Council members unanimously agreed that, starting November 10, any Henderson water customer more than 30 days late paying their water bill will have their service discontinued. Once a customer’s water is cut off for nonpayment, the customer will have to fork over a $150 security deposit in addition to the $12 late …
Wednesday Open Line
A new report titled “Bending the Health Care Cost Curve in North Carolina: The Experience of Community Health Centers,” examines whether health centers in North Carolina, which has a well-developed primary health care system reaching medically underserved communities, are more cost effective than other primary health care providers. The researchers found that on average, health center patients cost 62% less annually than comparable patients who received care in other ambulatory care settings. You can read the full report here. Bending …
Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers Crimes of the Month August 2011
The Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers is requesting information on the following unsolved cases in the Henderson area. Crime Stoppers will pay rewards up to $2,000.00 for information leading to the arrest of persons responsible for this and other criminal offenses. All information received is kept confidential. The Crime Stoppers phone number is 492-1925. Callers do not have to give their name. Property Damage Case The Henderson Police Department needs your help in identifying suspects involved in several incidents of property damage. …
New Franklinton High School Grand Opening August 18th
For those interested, the grand opening ceremony for the new Franklinton High School is scheduled for August 18th at 5:30 p.m. The public is invited to tour the school and listen to words from area officials including Board of Education Members and County Commissioners, as well as FHS Principal Charles Fuller. The state-of-the-art facility is located at the intersection of Cedar Creek and Lane Store Roads between Youngsville and Franklinton. It is 215,000 square feet and located on a 75-acre …
Henderson to Undergo Redistricting
Reporter – Leigh Hester – Due to population shifts over the past decade, City electoral wards have become unbalanced, and some Henderson citizens will likely be moved into new wards for future elections. After an extended work session in July, certain changes have been recommended: Certain areas areas on Parham Street and north and west within Ward 2 are proposed to be moved to Ward 1. Areas northwest of Garnett Street, currently also part of Ward 2, could shift into …
Tuesday Open Line
Monday’s markets took a nosedive after ratings agency S&P downgraded the US for the first time in history. In addition, Monday the outlooks for all 12 Federal Home Loan Banks, and the issue level ratings for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the FHLB System, and the Farm Credit System are negative. Locally, since Friday night, while North Carolina maintains a AAA rating, seven local governmental units have been told by Moody’s that their bond ratings would be reviewed immediately. State Treasurer …
Accused Murderer Arrested in Henderson
On August 6, 2011, Myron Ray Porter, age 19 of 310 Plum Nutty Road, Henderson, NC was arrested at his residence. He was arrested by Vance County Sherriff’s deputies along with Mecklenburg County, Virginia deputies on a Fugitive Warrant. He is charged with 1st Degree Murder and Firearm Use in Commission of a Felony, First Offense. These charges are related to August 2, 2011 shooting of Demetri Waller in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. Waller died on August 4th, 2011 at Duke …
NC Energy Efficient Mobile Home Rebates
Consumers who purchase ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured homes are now eligible to receive a $1,500 rebate, according to the N.C. Energy Office. The rebate amount has been increased from $500 to help more consumers take advantage of the NC Plus program for ENERGY STAR manufactured homes. The Energy Office, with the makers and sellers of manufactured homes and the support of utility companies, are working together to help the state’s consumers cut utility bills and get money back for buying …
VGCC schedules Health Unit Coordinator training course
Area residents interested in starting a new career in health care can pre-register now for a Health Unit Coordinator course offered by Vance-Granville Community College. The program is scheduled to be offered on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 1 until 4 p.m., Aug. 22 through Dec. 12, on the college’s main campus in Vance County. Classes will meet in Building 7, room 7136, with Tonia Starling as the instructor. Students who successfully complete this course will be able to understand …