WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement regarding Governor Pat McCrory’s refusal to publicly oppose all sequestration cuts, not just military cuts, when asked during yesterday’s briefing with the North Carolina Congressional Delegation: “I am deeply disappointed that Governor Pat McCrory refused to publicly voice his opposition to all sequestration cuts including cuts to social safety net programs. “The governor seemingly wants it both ways–by supporting across-the-board cuts to important federal programs, but opposing …
Month: December 2013
NCDA&CS issues stop-sale order on Everclear motor oil, automatic transmission fluid
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has issued a stop-sale order for three types of Everclear brand motor oil after the products failed tests for viscosity standards. Viscosity refers to the thickness of the oil offered for sale, and its ability to protect against engine wear. The order applies to bottles of Everclear 5W30, 10W30 and 10W40 motor oil. The products are distributed by Everclear Oil in Austintown, Ohio. In addition to failing a viscosity test, …
Butterfield Mourns the Passing of Nelson Mandela
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement expressing his heartfelt condolences regarding the passing of Nelson Mandela: “Today, I join hundreds of millions of people worldwide in mourning the extraordinary life and legacy of anti-apartheid revolutionary, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, and first Black president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. Words alone cannot adequately praise his historic achievements or fully express my sympathy in learning of his passing. Mandela was an icon of the global …
Vance County Board of Education Meeting Monday, December 9th, 2013
The Vance County Board of Education will meet on December 9, 2013 7:00 p.m. in the Administrative Services Center I. Call to Order II. Moment of Silence * III. Approval of Minutes * IV. Reorganization of Board * V. Approval of Meeting Agenda VI. Recognitions/Announcements VII. Comments from the Public (Citizens who would like to address the Board may do so by completing Form BDDH-E, Public Participation at Board Meetings. This request must be …
Attorney General Roy Cooper: Scammers masquerading as US Postal Service, AARP
Crooks often pretend to be someone they aren’t to get you to lower your guard. Scammers have been known to claim to be government officials, your bank, your insurance or power company, law officers, lottery officials, or even your grandchild facing an emergency in order to try to steal your personal information and your money. Now scammers are pretending to with the US Postal Service (USPS) and AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons. An AARP member reported being …
White House: On the passing of Nelson Mandela
Thursday evening, President Obama delivered a statement on the passing of former South African President and anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela.
Friday / Weekend Open Line
This is fifth annual Musical Instrument Gift Day, sponsored by the National Pawnbrokers Association. Its purpose is to distribute musical instruments to organizations in need. This is just one high note for the nearly 6,400 pawnshops across the nation, which provide valuable lending and resale services in their communities. Another important player in selling used goods is the much larger used miscellaneous merchandise stores, which number close to 78,000 from coast to coast. These stores are where you go if, …
State Farmers Market offers chances to shop and give this holiday season
RALEIGH — The State Farmer Market is hosting some special events to help you check people off your gift list and give back to those in need this holiday season. On Saturday, Dec. 7, the Market Shoppes will host its annual Open House from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors can enjoy free samples of locally made products, enter to win door prizes and find custom gift ideas. Vendors also will have a large selection of local meats, cheeses, seafood …
More Teachers Leave NC Classrooms in 2012-13
More teachers left their jobs last year according to the 2012-2013 Annual Report on Teachers Leaving the Profession presented today to the State Board of Education at its meeting in Raleigh. According to the statewide report, local school systems had an average teacher turnover rate of 14.33 percent for 2012-13, which is higher than the 2011-12 rate of 12.13 percent. “Although the turnover rate was higher last year, it is reassuring to know that more than a third of the …
NC Commerce Dept Issues 2014 Economic Development Tier Rankings
Vance County remains a Tier 1 County. N.C. Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced the county tier designations for 2014 on Nov. 27. The designations, which are mandated by state law, determine a variety of state funding opportunities to assist in economic development. Download the county tier designations. “Our mission is to enhance job opportunities for all North Carolinians, no matter where they live in the state,” said Decker. “The tier rankings provide critical tools that help us in various economic …
Welcome Centers display N.C.-grown Christmas trees
The N.C. Christmas Tree Association and the N.C. Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services have provided Christmas trees and wreaths for the Division’s lobby and for each of the state’s nine Welcome Centers. In addition to “traditional ornaments,” the trees also have ornaments supplied over the years by attractions and cities to spotlight and promote their sites and areas. The trees promote North Carolina’s Christmas tree industry, which is ranked second in the nation in the number of trees harvested. …
Senator Kay Hagan: Sportsmen & Women, North Carolina’s Economy to Benefit from Bipartisan SPORT Act
From Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the west to Cape Hatteras National Seashore in the east, North Carolinians are passionate about the outdoors. In fact, more than 1.6 million sportsmen and women call North Carolina home. That’s nearly one in five of our residents, and I’m proud to represent each of them in the U.S. Senate as Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus. In this role, I recently introduced the Sportsmen’s and Public Outdoor Recreation Traditions (SPORT) Act, …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of Dec. 5 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, enjoy the Raleigh Little Theatre’s production of Cinderella. Trace the history of mountain biking at the Museum of Mountain Bike Art & Technology, housed at First Flight Bikes in Statesville. Take in a show at the Carolina Civic Center in Lumberton. Learn some history of the Roanoke Canal Museum in Roanoke Rapids. And the “House Special” samples the fare at Alexander Michael’s Restaurant and Tavern in Charlotte. (Please note: …
Thursday Open Line
After nearly 14 eventful years, Prohibition ended on this date in 1933, and Americans were able to legally have a drink once again. This marked the closing of an unusual chapter in American history, where an amendment to the Constitution was overturned by the subsequent amendment. The 18th amendment, banning nearly all sales and manufacture of alcohol, was ratified in 1919 and took effect in January 1920. The 21st Amendment ratified on this date voided the 18th. After the lifting …
Michael Bobbitt: Notes From The Peanut Gallery (VC BoC December 2nd, 2013)
Changing of the guard The December Board meeting starts with the change of the Board’s leadership followed by the Board’s renewal or expulsion of county officers. Nothing so striking as expelling any county officers occurred in fact all were allowed to keep their jobs. The big change was Commissioner Brown’s elevation to Chairwoman and Commissioner Hester’s demotion to common commissioners. Before Commissioner Hester relinquished his chairmanship he spoke glowingly of the county officers and of the Board’s accomplishments during his …
Audio – Vance County Board of Commissioners Meeting December 2nd, 2013
You may download the audio by clicking here. Or you may listen to it on our site here: [jwplayer mediaid=”54860″] Also below are the agenda items and at what time (minutes in) in the audio you can hear each item: Agenda Topic Packet Page Audio Time Rev. Ron Cava, First Baptist Church N/A 00:00 – 2:00 1. Remarks from Current Chairman 2. Reorganization of Board – Election of Chair (Chairman Brown’s comment about working with computers) 3. Appointment of Officials: …
Vance Gang Awareness Partnership presents Faith Talks: Gang and Community Awareness Forums
The church is a vital asset in our community. The Vance Gang Awareness Partnership, VGAP presents Faith Talks: Gang and Community Awareness Forums. The purpose of Faith Talks is to simply raise awareness and invite the faith community to join us in becoming a part of a greater solution. 6-7pm • December 3, 2013: Shiloh Baptist Church, 635 S College St, Henderson • December 10, 2013: First United Methodist, 114 Church St, Henderson • December 12, 2013: Spring Street Missionary …
Quarantine area for the imported fire ant expanded to include Lincoln County and parts of Catawba County
RALEIGH — Lincoln County and parts of Catawba County now fall under state quarantine rules for the imported fire ant as part of a continuing effort to monitor the spread of this pest and address control measures. With today’s announcement by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the quarantine now includes portions or entire areas of 71 counties. Effective Jan. 1, 2014, the imported fire ant quarantine is revised to include the addition of all of Lincoln County …
Wednesday Open Line
Black Friday is behind us, but the holiday shopping season continues to build. People jamming the malls and department stores with their gift lists in hand are rediscovering one of the travails of the season — finding a place to park. When the mall lots and garages end up being full, many shoppers will turn to nearby commercial lots and garages. The first city parking garage in the U.S. opened this week in December of 1941 in Welch, West Virginia. …
Vance County Elementary School News December 2-6, 2013
VANCE COUNTY SCHOOLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS Volume 1 Issue 9 December 2-6, 2013 The MISSION of Vance County Schools is to be committed to educating all students to prepare them for lifelong learning and productive citizenship. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS The Vance County Schools’ Annual Retirement Banquet will be held on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria at Northern Vance High School. Interim Progress Reports are distributed on Wednesday. Kindergarten Grade Level …