It’s unfortunate, but many people die each year in the U.S. from diseases that could have been prevented by immunization. That’s why this is National Immunization Awareness Month — calling attention to the importance of people of all ages to get their shots. Also known as vaccination, its most spectacular success came in the eradication of smallpox, a human scourge for thousands of years. The last known natural case was diagnosed over 30 years ago. While Edward Jenner and Louis …
Month: August 2012
VGCC schedules “Afternoon Tea” class in October
Vance-Granville Community College will offer a course on “Afternoon Tea,” the tradition that is enjoying a renaissance as fine hotels, inns and tea rooms across the country give guests an opportunity to retreat from the hurried pace of their lives. The course, called “Let’s Have an Afternoon Tea,” is offered by the college in collaboration with The Old North State Tea Society. Classes will meet in the Fellowship Hall at First Presbyterian Church in Henderson, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from …
Representative Michael H. Wray’s Raleigh Report
The General Assembly continues to stay busy, even when we are not in session. There are a number of studies, task forces and interim committees that work in between our regular sessions. This week, I want to share some information with you about the work going on in the interim concerning issues of interest. I hope you will find it helpful. Fraud The Consumer Protection Division of the Department of Justice has been directed to form the Task Force on …
VGCC and Chambers announce Business Summit, seek sponsors
The Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center, in partnership with the Granville County Chamber of Commerce, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Commerce of Warren County and the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, is planning a new event, and organizers are encouraging local businesses and organizations to join them. The “Business Summit,” entitled “Plugged-In, Productive & Profitable – The New Face of Business,” is scheduled to be held Wednesday, Nov. 7 from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. in …
Friday / Weekend Open Line
Young America got the motive power it needed to expand beyond the capacities of the horse on this day in 1807 — as the public got its first glimpse of a steam-powered boat. Robert Fulton in his vessel, the Clermont, went 150 miles from Albany to New York City in 32 hours. The impact of the trip was not immediately clear, and some even called the effort “Fulton’s Folly.” But steamboats caught on and revolutionized the way America moved. Today, …
$2.5 million renovation could help battleship attract overnight visitors
Officials are planning to renovate berthing areas and the ward room on board the Battleship North Carolina in anticipation of offering overnight stays. The program, which is expected to start next spring, is aimed at giving groups – such as the Boy Scouts – a taste of living on board a historic naval vessel while also opening up a new revenue stream for the ship, which is financially self-sustaining. Overnight visitors – who are likely to pay around $55 each – will …
‘North Carolina Weekend’
For the week of Aug. 16 on UNC-TV’s “North Carolina Weekend,” take in either outdoor drama “Pathway to Freedom” or “Sword of Peace” in Snow Camp. Sample the brews the easy way on an Asheville Brews Cruise in Asheville. Enjoy the great outdoors at Grandfather Mountain State Park in Banner Elk. Lift a glass at Windsor Run Cellars in Hamptonville. And check out the scene at Busy Bee Café in Raleigh. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) “North Carolina …
Phlebotomy training scheduled at VGCC Warren Campus
Vance-Granville Community College is currently registering students for a Phlebotomy course that is scheduled to start soon at the college’s Warren County Campus, located at 210 West Ridgeway Street in Warrenton. Warren Campus is the only VGCC location where the Phlebotomy program will be offered this fall. Area residents interested in health-care occupations can also take advantage of Nurse Aide Level I (CNA I) and Medication Aide training available at the same campus. The Phlebotomy course will start Oct. 9, …
Before ‘Safe Haven’ hits theaters, it pays off royally for Southport
Southport businesses will earn a large chunk of the millions in revenue the film “Safe Haven” is projected to spend in the region during filming. Bringing red-carpet stars Julianne Hough, Josh Duhamel and David Lyons, “Safe Haven” filmmakers are expected to spend between $15 million and $20 million in North Carolina on qualifying expenses, such as crew salaries, lodgings and construction costs, according to the N.C. Film Office.The Southport-based production will wrap filming this week, but the film’s impact will …
North Carolina named “State of the Year” for its Economic Development Efforts
RALEIGH – Southern Business & Development, a leading publication covering and promoting economic development in the American South, announced that North Carolina has been named the “2012 State of the Year.” North Carolina is being honored as State of the Year based on its performance in 2011. North Carolina also received this accolade in 2005 and 2006. “This recognition is further proof that North Carolina is a great place to start or grow a business,” said Gov. Bev Perdue. “Our …
White House: 11 facts about the tax debate
If Congress doesn’t act, taxes are going to go up for 114 million middle-class families on January 1. The good news is that nearly everyone in Washington agrees we need to do something about it. The bad news is that Republicans in the House of Representatives are refusing to act unless they can also extend cuts for the wealthiest two percent of people in this country. But right now, most Americans don’t really understand just how stark a difference there …
Thursday Open Line
Yes, the 4th of July is long gone, but in La Porte, Indiana, fireworks fans have been having a festival, which began last Saturday and runs through this Friday. That’s because La Porte is the site of this year’s annual convention of the Pyrotechnics Guild International. The purpose is to promote the design and safe display of the finest quality pyrotechnics. There will be fireworks events each evening, as the professionals compete for the title of “Grand Master.” The Guild’s …
Richard Brand: Repeat Myself
Normally, I hate to repeat myself. In fact, I think one of my worst faults was that I hated to repeat a sermon, repeat an illustration, or even try to make the same points again. but the selection of Paul Ryan as Mitt Romney’s running mate makes it extremely necessary. The Bowles-Simpson Commission was a bipartisan commission charged with the task of studying the great national debt and coming up with recommendations for dealing with that mounting problem. They studied. …
Henderson Police Department Shoplifters of the Week
Jason Gill, 39, 1012 Standish St. HendersonDate: 8/11/12Location: Food Lion 377 Raleigh RoadCharge: LarcenyItems: SteaksBond: $400 Luis Lopez, 25Date: 8/5/12Location: WalmartCharge: LarcenyItems: DvdsBond: $300 Ashely Pitchford, 22,1002 Mccoin Ave. HendersonDate: 8/4/12Location: WalmartCharge: Larceny, Resist Delay And ObstructItems: MascaraBond: $500 Paigadrin Perry,23, 622 Water St. HendersonDate: 8/3/12Location: WalmartCharge: LarcenyItems: Jewelry ,clothesBond: $300 Tanyal Ryner, 49, 561 Mcborn St. HendersonDate: 8/3/12Location: Food Lion 1241 Dabney Dr. HendersonCharge: LarcenyItems: FoodBond: $500 Leonard Williams, 51, 561 Mcborn St. HendersonDate: 8/3/12Location: Food Lion 1241 Danbey …
Non-stop service between RDU-SFO begins Today
United Airlines will begin offering non-stop service between Raleigh-Durham International Airport and San Francisco International Airport today, (Aug. 15). The daily flight will depart at 7 a.m. and arrive at SFO at 9:50 a.m. local time. That time is aligned with outbound Asia flight departures in the 11 o’clock hour. Following are just some of the cities passengers will be able to connect to: Tokyo, Hong Kong, Osaka, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul and Kahului, Hawaii. Governor Bev Perdue, N.C. Department of …
White House: Helping Our Farmers Cope with the Drought
Farmers in Iowa are among those struggling with the fallout from the historic drought. Crop yields for corn and soy beans are down sharply, driving up the cost of feed and making it more expensive to raise livestock. Yesterday, President Obama saw the damage first-hand and described a new effort to help livestock producers. Touring McIntosh Family Farms in Missouri Valley, Iowa, the President announced that the Department of Agriculture will begin to buy up to $170 million worth of beef, pork, …
Wednesday Open Line
Today marks the birthday of one of America’s most beloved authorities on food — Julia Child, who didn’t take a cooking lesson until she was in her 30s. When her husband was assigned to Paris, she fell in love with French cooking and wrote the first of several important cookbooks demystifying that nation’s culinary art. The books led to a television show of several decades and many awards, including the French Legion of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. …
Vance County Schools – State Funding for Student Breakfasts
For the 2012-2013 school year, the Vance County Schools’ Child Nutrition program again will be able to offer breakfasts free of charge to students qualifying for reduced price breakfasts. Funds are available to provide the free breakfasts for qualifying students through action taken last summer by the N.C. General Assembly. The no cost breakfasts are applicable for qualifying students in pre-kindergarten classes through 12th grade, according to Phyllis Newcomb, director of Vance County Schools’ Child Nutrition program. Prices for reduced …
VGCC Practical Nursing Graduates receive pins
Vance-Granville Community College honored 26 students who have completed its one-year Practical Nursing program during a pinning ceremony on Aug. 2 in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus. Upon receiving diplomas, graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the national exam for licensed practical nurses (LPNs). Among the graduates recognized at the ceremony were Melissa Heeman of Bullock; Soumeya Naqash of Butner; Luann Fuller of Durham; Tabitha Blanchard, Lauren Eaves, Miranda Hargrove, Cassa Pendergrass, Jill Pendergrass, …
Convicted Felon, Kentrell Venable, Pleads Guilty to Firearms Ccharge
NEW BERN – United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court today United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle sentenced KENTRELL VENABLE, 26, of Henderson, North Carolina, to 52 months imprisonment. A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on September 20, 2011, charging VENABLE with unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. At his arraignment on February 14, 2012, VENABLE pled guilty to the charge. According to evidence presented in court, on July 31, …