In this week’s address, President Obama said that now that the federal government is reopened and the threat of default is lifted from the economy, there are three places Washington can take action to serve the American people. First, it’s time for a balanced, responsible approach to the budget that grows the economy and shrinks our long term deficits. Second, we must fix our broken immigration system. And finally, Congress should pass a farm bill to give rural communities the …
Month: October 2013
Monday Open Line
An invention was demonstrated on this date in 1879 that lit the way for a dramatic change in the rhythm of Americans’ daily lives. At his Menlo Park, New Jersey laboratory, Thomas Edison set up the first incandescent light bulb, which burned for almost 14 hours. Within a few years, some cities had installed electric street lights. The number of homes across the U.S. with electricity grew steadily, but even in 1940, more than one-in-five houses was without power. The …
Deal on Shutdown Opens Gates to North Carolina Visitors
RALEIGH, N.C. (October 17, 2013) — Fall foliage seekers and fishermen can once again access all of North Carolina’s federal sites including Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cape Hatteras National Seashore plus many other sites across the state. “Fall is a fantastic time to visit North Carolina,” said Wit Tuttell, Director of Marketing for the NC Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development. “The fall foliage in the mountains is really popping and the fishing action is heating up on the coast. …
City Council’s Human Resource Committee Meeting October 22
The Henderson City Council’s Human Resources Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 134 Rose Avenue. The main purpose of the meeting, among other items, is to discuss the employee dress code. This meeting is open to the public. Edit – 10/18/2013 – This meeting has been cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date.
Kay Hagan: Congress Must Stop Manufacturing Crises and Instead Work to Grow Our Economy
This government shutdown was completely unnecessary. Congress should have never gotten to the point where the government was shut down and on the verge of a default crisis, and neither Republicans nor Democrats should attempt to take a victory lap after last night’s vote. However, I am glad the Senate passed a bipartisan plan to re-open the government and avert a default crisis that would have been disastrous for our economy and our middle class families. I wasn’t elected to …
Gov. McCrory Announces Awards for Excellence in Workforce Development
GREENSBORO – Governor Pat McCrory announced that the 2013 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Workforce Development were presented today to three companies and four North Carolinians. The awards honor individuals and businesses for outstanding accomplishments and contributions in helping North Carolina achieve its workforce development goals. “I congratulate these award recipients for their determination, innovation and commitment to helping make our employees the nation’s best,” said Governor McCrory. “Our highly skilled workforce is leading our economic recovery.” The N.C. Commission …
White House: Reopening Our Government
Wednesday night, President Obama signed legislation to reopen our government and pay our bills. “Because Democrats and responsible Republicans came together, the first government shutdown in 17 years is now over,” he said today in the State Dining Room. “The first default in more than 200 years will not happen. These twin threats to our economy have been lifted.”
Friday / Weekend Open Line
One of the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious magazines printed its first issue this month in 1888 — the National Geographic, the publication of the National Geographic Society, founded earlier that year. One-hundred-twenty-five years ago, the magazine was a scholarly journal with fewer than a thousand subscribers. As it matured, it added photographic and map departments that boosted its circulation into the millions. The money generated was used to finance major explorations around the world. There are some 8,000 periodical …
Broadband survey to evaluate state’s digital economy
N.C. Commerce Sec. Sharon Decker has invited all North Carolina households and businesses to participate in a new broadband survey released last week through NC Broadband. The survey and scorecard project will be conducted all across North Carolina throughout October to help households and businesses throughout the state increase their economic vitality by better utilizing broadband technologies. “The vision of NC Broadband is to improve the competitiveness of North Carolina’s businesses and workforce by promoting the use of information technology …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of Oct. 17 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, rev your engines at “Porsche by Design,” a new exhibit at the N.C. Museum of Art in Raleigh. Enjoy a tour of historic Tarboro. Celebrate the season with the Hill Ridge Farms Fall Harvest and Pumpkin Festival in Youngsville. Test yourself with the chills and thrills at the Original Hollywood Horror Show in Snow Camp. And experience Indian culture at the Diwali Festival in Cary. (Please note: listings are …
VGCC hosts CCP Information Sessions for high school students and parents
Vance-Granville Community College will hold a series of sessions offering information for high school students and their parents on the “Career and College Promise” (CCP) program. CCP allows eligible students to earn college credits while still in high school, without having to pay tuition or college fees. These meetings will be held on Monday, Oct. 28 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Small Auditorium (Building 2) on VGCC’s Main Campus near Henderson; on Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the …
Wake County considered ‘Soccer Capital’
Sports are indisputably big business; the NFL alone generates a combined $9 billion in annual revenue. That youth sports are also big business, however, might be a little more surprising. Take, for example, Capital Area Soccer League, more commonly known by its acronym CASL, pronounced “castle.” This year the Raleigh-based league has budgeted revenue of $7 million and will see roughly 9,000 soccer players come through its system of 550 teams. The club’s reach is not limited to the thousands …
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians breaks ground on new casino near Murphy
A $110 million project to build a new casino in Cherokee County is officially underway. A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Harrah’s Casino was held Tuesday (yesterday) at the future site of the facility just outside of Murphy. The casino will be owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and will be managed by Caesars Entertainment Corporation; the two already work together with Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee. The Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel will …
Thursday Open Line
Republican 2nd District Congresswoman Renee Ellmers said Wednesday that she would vote against a deal brokered in the Senate to reopen federal government and raise the nation’s debt limit to avoid a default. A Senate vote was set first on the legislation, which would permit the U.S. Treasury to borrow normally through Feb. 7 – or perhaps a month longer – and fund the government through Jan. 15. More than 2 million federal workers – those who had remained on …
Gov. McCrory announces agreement to reopen Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Gov. Pat McCrory has teamed with Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam to reopen the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which has been closed due to the partial federal shutdown. North Carolina will spend $75,000 and the state of Tennessee and two counties will allocate $305,000 to reopen the national park for five days — through this Sunday — during the peak fall tourism season. Gov. McCrory is also exploring options to open other national parks in North Carolina. “This is about …
Friends of the Library Program Present Ambria Camelle October 20th, 2013
The Friends of the Perry Memorial Library present “Afternoon with the Author” featuring Ambria Camelle. Ambria Camelle will discuss her book Yes I’m Selfish…and Proud of It!!! at the Perry Memorial Library on Sunday, October 20, from 2 p.m.-3 p.m. Ms. Camelle is an author, entrepreneur, and young adult self-esteem/leadership development coach. Her web site is www.ambriacamelle.com.
Sleepy Hollow Renewed for Second Season
Fox has ordered a 13-episode second season of Sleepy Hollow, making the fantasy thriller the first fall debut to be renewed for a sophomore run. Renewal arrives just three episodes into the series’ first season. Sleepy Hollow ranks as Fox’s most successful fall drama premiere in more than a decade. The production, which is based out of EUE/Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington, began shooting in the region in late July and will continue until mid-December. In addition to the Port …
Luxury Cruise Line Adds Morehead City in New Itinerary
Morehead City is about to get a jolt of high-end tourists. Never a cruise ship stop before, Morehead City is among 71 new destinations just released by luxury line Silversea Cruises for its 2015 itineraries. The Silver Shadow will embark on April 3 on a brand new itinerary, sailing round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, with calls in Savannah, Charleston, Morehead City and Norfolk, which is also a new destination along the Atlantic coast, plus Bermuda and Nassau. Read more.
Wednesday Open Line
Day 15 of the government shutdown started with as much promise as any recently: There was a bipartisan proposal by Senate leaders to reopen the government and raise the debt ceiling. But any hopes were quickly dashed when leaders of the Republican-controlled House said they would offer a competing proposal because of their dissatisfaction with the Senate effort. The Senate’s Bipartisan Proposal The Senate agreement between Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., came after weekend negotiations. It would reopen …
Rent-A-Center Chamber Ribbon Cutting
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for Rent-A-Center on Monday, October 14, to announce their membership with the Chamber. Rent-A-Center offers high quality durable products such as major consumer electronics, appliances, computers, furniture and accessories under flexible rental purchase agreements that allow the customer to obtain ownership of the merchandise at the conclusion of an agreed-upon rental period. They offer same-day delivery, 90 days same as cash and an early purchase option. Rent-A-Center provides an easy, affordable way for people …