Gov. Pat McCrory has conferred the Order of the Long Leaf Pine on Mary Anne Perkinson, who is retiring at the end of the year as manager of the I-85 North Welcome Center in Warren County. Director of Operations Bryan Gupton and Visitor Services Program Manager Wally Wazan presented the honor at the Welcome Center in Norlina yesterday (Tuesday). The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is among the most prestigious awards presented by the governor and is presented to …
Month: December 2013
Bonner Bridge closure, advisory
With the temporary closure of the Bonner Bridge – which spans the Oregon Inlet, connecting Hatteras Island to the mainland – the Outer Banks VB has created the Bonner Bridge Advisory webpage to address questions and concerns for potential visitors. While the bridge is closed, ferries are providing alternate transportation to and from Hatteras Island and the N.C. Dept. of Transportation has brought in additional ferries and revised the ferry schedule for the area. Traffic along N.C. State Highway 12 …
Are Christmas lights good for restaurant business?
Last year, several Golden Corral restaurants tried an experiment: some franchise locations decorated outside with holiday lights while some didn’t. The company was surprised that the restaurants that had decorated had a 5 percent increase of sales. Fox News interviewed Senior V.P. of Franchising Bob McDevitt, who noted the importance of having the decorations done professionally (don’t just hang some lights) and reported that multi-colored lights outperformed white lights. About 50 locations are expected to participate this year and, while …
Certified Retirement Community applications due Jan. 31
Applications are due on Jan. 31 for the N.C. Dept. of Commerce’s Certified Retirement Community Program for communities that are positioning themselves to attract retirees as an economic and community development strategy. To gain certification, a local government must submit an application for consideration. Applications are accepted twice each year. Once a community has completed the certification process, the Division will help market and promote the community as a retirement destination. There are currently seven Certified Retirement Communities in North …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of Dec. 12 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, get into the holiday spirit with a Holiday Concert by the Raleigh Ringers. Find the perfect poinsettia or other holiday plant at Mitchell’s Nursery in King. Step back in time at the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History. Enjoy a tour of the Harper House at the Hickory History Center. And discover some things to do in Raleigh after a N.C. Symphony concert. (Please note: listings are subject to …
Greensboro Science Center’s SkyWild will add humans to exhibit
Next year at the Greensboro Science Center in Greensboro, visitors can not only see the exhibits, but also be the exhibit. SkyWild will take visitors through the treetops on a fitness and adventure course while other visitors watch from below. Expected to open in May, the $600,000 exhibit is part of the second phase of development in the center’s master plan, financed primarily through a bond approved by voters in 2009. The exhibit also is seeking corporate sponsorships and support. …
Davie hopes website will draw Daniel Boone fans to county
Daniel Boone’s life has been the subject of books, magazine articles and even a TV series. But will interest in the legendary frontiersmen translate into tourism dollars in Davie County? Local officials hope so. They are involved in the launch of a mobile-friendly website that will allow Boone fans to explore historical sites while on the road. “We have a lot of people who stay at our campgrounds, and they love coming to the visitor center to find out what’s …
NCDPI Receives 71 Applications to Open Charters in 2015
Nonprofit organizations have submitted 71 applications to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) to open a public charter school in August 2015. These applications met the Dec. 6 submission deadline through the automated application system utilized for the first time this year by the NCDPI. A spreadsheet of applicants is available at www.ncpublicschools.org/charterschools/. “High-quality charter schools play an important role in addressing the needs of some of our 1.5 million students,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction June …
New sea lions on exhibit at N.C. Zoo
A pair of California sea lions went on exhibit for the first time last Thursday at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro. The male named “Dyson” and the female named “Storm,” are estimated to be 17 months old. The two sea lions will join the harbor seals in the zoo’s Rocky Coast exhibit complex.
CLT to become the new American’s second busiest hub after merger
US Airways and American Airlines closed their $17.7-billion merger Monday, creating the world’s largest airline. So what does it mean for the average traveler? Not a whole lot so far and the airlines say it’s business as usual. But changes to the airlines’ operations will start next year, and will soon accelerate as US Airways and American work to combine their business. Charlotte Douglas International Airport will be the combined airline’s second-busiest hub, behind only Dallas/Fort Worth in the airline’s …
Thursday Open Line
Most Americans drive on their vacations, and if they don’t stay with relatives they often stay at one of the nation’s many motels. The term motel came to have meaning only when the automobile started to dominate the landscape and the term “motor hotel” came into general use. The first motel opened on this date in 1925 in San Luis Obispo, California. The building featured a sign with flashing lights that changed the first letter so that it alternated the …
Nominate 2013 Citizen of the Year – Deadline is December 27
The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking nominations for the 2013 Citizen of the Year. This annual award honors an individual who has made a significant contribution and demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of Henderson and Vance County. In order to be considered for this award, the nominee must be a resident of the Henderson-Vance County community, should be someone who enjoys a reputation for continuous community service in areas such as civic involvement, quality of life …
Kerr Lake aquatic vegetation update
On October 31st, the US Army Corps of Engineers released approximately 13,000 triploid (sterile) grass carp into Kerr Lake. The carp were released from three locations on the NC side of the lake near the areas of greatest hydrilla infestation. Here’s a picture of a few of the fish: https://plus.google.com/112448875899960197128/posts/T8YymEnJnoh Grass carp, as you may know, eat aquatic vegetation and have a special fondness for hydrilla. It is hoped that, over the next couple of years, we will begin to …
AIG to Create 230 Jobs in Charlotte
Governor Pat McCrory and North Carolina Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced today that American International Group (AIG) will establish a technology center in Mecklenburg County. The company plans to create 230 new jobs in North Carolina by the end of 2017 and invest more than $5.5 million in Charlotte. Uconda Dunn served as the developer on the project for the N.C. Department of Commerce. “We’re proud of the financial and professional services cluster that has formed in the Charlotte region, …
High Tech Israeli Textile Manufacturer to Expand in Roxboro
Governor Pat McCrory and N.C. Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced today that Spuntech Industries, Inc., a global spunlace manufacturing company based in Israel, will expand its operations in Person County. The company plans to create 60 new jobs and invest more than $35 million over the next three years in Roxboro. Anna Lea Moore served as the developer on the project for the N.C. Department of Commerce. “North Carolina continues to be a top choice for global companies looking to …
Governor McCrory Announces Appointments to the Rural Infrastructure Authority
The Office of Governor Pat McCrory announced the following appointments to the Rural Infrastructure Authority on Dec. 5: The Governor’s appointees Thomas S. Hester Jr. (Vance County) – Hester is the president of Prim Residential Rentals, Inc. He is the chairman of the Vance County Commissioners. Hester will hold an at-large seat on the board. Kevin Corbin (Macon County) – Corbin is the owner of Corbin Insurance Agency. He is the chairman of the Macon County Board of Commissioners. Corbin …
Explore the Old World in 2014 with “Louisburg to London”
LOUISBURG, N.C.—Louisburg College announces “Louisburg to London”, a nine-day excursion to London, England from May 11-20, 2014. The trip will be led by the College’s director of The Norris Theatre, Wally Hurst, and his wife Maria, both former London residents and seasoned tour guides. The tour group will stay in the theatre district near the British Museum, and visit the Tower of London, the Globe Theatre, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and many other sites. The itinerary also features a pub lunch on arrival day, a ride on …
Butterfield Congratulates Charlotte Congressman Mel Watt on Confirmation as FHFA Director
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) Tuesday released the following statement regarding the confirmation of veteran lawmaker Congressman Mel Watt as the new Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency: “I congratulate my good friend and fellow North Carolinian Congressman Mel Watt on his confirmation as the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. “This well-earned appointment is a result of his more than twenty years experience as an outspoken leader on both the House Financial Services and …
Butterfield Attends Memorial Service for Nelson Mandela in South Africa
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) Tuesday released the following statement regarding the memorial service for Nelson Mandela: “Today I joined tens of thousands of South Africans and world leaders in Johannesburg to pay my last respects at the memorial service for anti-apartheid revolutionary, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, and former South African President, Nelson Mandela. “It was moving to see people come together from every corner of the world and all walks of life to pay proper tribute …
Walmart Distribution Facility to Create 450 Jobs in Alamance County, N.C.
Governor Pat McCrory and North Carolina Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced today that Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. will open a major perishable grocery distribution center in Alamance County. This facility will serve an estimated 123 Walmart retail stores across North Carolina and surrounding states. The company intends to create 450 jobs and invest more than $100 million over the next three years in Mebane. “North Carolina continues to be a top choice for companies looking to establish advanced distribution facilities,” said …