YOUTH LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT -4
CHONTARA MASON – VANCE COUNTY
Sen. Angela R. Bryant Provides Scholarship to Northern Vance High Student to Attend 2016 Youth Legislative Assembly
Henderson, NC – February 12, 2016
The NC Department of Administration’s Youth Advocacy & Involvement Office is hosting the 46th Annual Youth Legislative Assembly (YLA) April 1 – 3, 2016, in the Legislative Office Building in downtown Raleigh. Senator Angela R. Bryant is sponsoring a scholarship for Chontara Mason of Northern Vance High School to participate in this year’s YLA. Approximately 200 North Carolina high school students are expected to attend. The students draft bills, elect leaders, engage in debate, and vote on mock legislation.
“The YLA is an opportunity for students to learn how the legislative process works in an actual legislative environment,” said Sen. Bryant. “My office is proud to sponsor a scholarship for a Vance County student to attend the 2016 Youth Legislative Assembly. I am honored to partner with the Youth Advocacy & Involvement Office to develop youth leadership skills. The experience should be very instructive and rewarding for these students.”
Mirroring the real NC General Assembly, students will assemble to elect a leadership team, choose bill topics, draft bills to be debated and be voted up or down. Past topics include random drug testing of high school athletes, offshore drilling, and increasing the minimum drop-out age for high school students.
“We are pleased to have Sen. Bryant sponsor a student for YLA this year,” said Clare Shocket, Director of the Youth Advocacy & Involvement Office. “Legislative support is vital to the YLA Program. For Chontara, Sen. Bryant’s support may be life changing.” Chontara is the daughter of Catherine Couch Mason and Charles Mason.
For more information about Youth Legislative Assembly, please contact Erica Gallion, Program Coordinator, at 919-807-4406.
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EVENTS AROUND THE DISTRICT AND MORE:
- Rocky Mount, Roanoke Rapids and Wilson NC Works Career Centers Regional Career Fair: March 3rd – 10:00-11 Veterans and 11:00-12:00 General Public, The Impact Center (formerly Home Depot), 821 Word Plaza, Rocky Mount. For information contact, Frince Williams at 2525374188.
- Golf and Swim Lessons: Register before March 3rd by calling 252-325-4676 or email esq@esquiresforeduction.org.
- EdCamp, a free professional development session for all educators, Sat., March 12 from 8-3:30 at Jones Elementary, Wilson. There are no pre-determined sessions or presenters. Instead, the attendees indicate what they would like to learn and then the organizers look for trends and create the schedule. Sessions are led by conversation, not presentation. CEUs will be earned for attending all day, breakfast is provided. Sign up today at ly/edcampeastnc. For more information, visit edcamp.org or email brittany.argall@wilsonschoolsnc.net or jessica.bailey@wilsonschoolsnc.net.
- Sylvan Heights Bird Park Events: March 12th at 10:00am Eggstravaganza, Sat. March 19th, 5:00-8:00pm. Pig in the Park. Sat. April 16th, Earth Day Celebration 10am-2pm, Sat. June 25th Birds and Brews 5:30-8:30pm. For more information call 2528263186 or email info@shwpark.com.
- The NC Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund Workshops: Workshops will be held in Mount Olive, Williamston, Winston-Salem and Canton. For registration and information call 919-707-3069.
- Haliwa-Saponi Pow-wow: Fri. April 15th, Sat. April 16th and Sun. 17th, 130 Haliwa-Saponi Trail, Hollister, NC For information call 2525864017.
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JOB, GRANT AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
Grant Opportunity for Water and Sewer: Investments in Our Quality of Life
Local and county governments across the state will be eligible for water/sewer project grants if the Connect NC Bond is passed by North Carolina voters on Tuesday, March 15th.
Under the guidelines of the bond, there will be three types of grants for water/sewer projects:
- Water infrastructure and construction grants
- Asset Inventory and Assessment Grants
- Consolidation and Regionalization Grants
Learn more at our updated water and sewer page.
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2016 American Associations in Black Energy Scholarship Application The North Carolina Chapter of American Association of Blacks Energy, (AABE) is pleased to announce the 2016 AABE Scholarship application is available for high school students. Through its Scholarship Program, AABE seeks to help increase the number of African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans (underrepresented minorities) in energy related fields by providing financial assistance for college tuition. By doing so, AABE helps our nation address a critical need and a challenge to our future economic vitality in the world market. Members of the NC Chapter are the primary communication channel to inform our community about the Scholarship Program. All applications must be post marked and returned to the North Carolina Chapter no later than March 4, 2016. If you have questions, please feel free to email northcarolina@aabe.org. |
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*Important Update* – CFAT Request for Proposal Period Extended:
The NC Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) is pleased to announce that the deadline for Clean Fuel Advanced Technology (CFAT) grant applications has been extended to March 1, 2016.
This will allow for more time to respond and consider recent programmatic changes which are included in an updated CFAT Request for Proposal.
Key Changes
If applicant proposal is accepted for funding they will be required to participate in the NC Smart Fleet Initiative or the NC Clean Transportation Coordinating Committee. Fees and sponsorship costs for these activities begin at $2,000 for a 2 year affiliation.
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THE MORE YOU KNOW, YOU’RE SURE TO GROW:
Former Chairwoman of the
Warren County Farm Bureau Retires
Former Warren County Farm Bureau Chairwoman, Ann Killian, steps down from her position after 20+ years of service. The new Chairwoman, Lisa Bender, has stepped in to fill her position.
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IN THE NEWS:
The Children’s Case for Closing the Health Insurance
Coverage Gap
By: Rob Thompson, Senior Policy and Communications Advisor
University researchers at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health recently released a new study showing the profound benefits of expanding health coverage to uninsured, low-income adults in the health care coverage gap.
The study compares the health of low-income adults in states that have expanded coverage and states that haven’t. The results are compelling: low-income adults in states like North Carolina that haven’t expanded health coverage are less likely to have a regular source of medical care and less likely to receive key preventive services, like routine checkups, dental checkups, flu vaccinations, and blood pressure checks.
This study comes at the one-year anniversary of another study by researchers at George Washington University (commissioned by the Cone Health Foundation and the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust), which documents the statewide and county-by-county economic benefits of expanding health care for every county in North Carolina.
The evidence certainly seems to mounting in favor of expanding health care for uninsured adults, but what does this have to do with our state’s children?
The issue for children is that over 100,000 parents statewide are in the coverage gap, and when parents don’t have health insurance, the whole family is less healthy, both physically and financially. The parents in the coverage gap have incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid and too low to purchase health insurance in the private market. Most of them are working, but they cannot afford to buy health insurance on the prevailing wages in industries such as retail, construction, or food service.
Here are some specific reasons why closing the coverage gap is so important for North Carolina’s children:
- When parents are insured, children are more likely to be insured. We know from the experience of other states that when parents get health insurance their children are more likely to be covered as well. In Massachusetts, for example, expanding health coverage for parents helped cut the uninsured rate for children in half. About 90,000 children in North Carolina, more than the total population of Asheville, remain uninsured even though they are eligible for one of North Carolina’s public health insurance programs, Medicaid or NC Health Choice. Offering whole family coverage will help bring down that number.
- A plan for closing the health coverage gap is an important strategy to reduce infant mortality in North Carolina. Across the state, the infant mortality rate correlates with women’s health—a baby is much more likely to be born healthy if her mother is healthy. Statewide, 22 percent of infant deaths are related to prematurity and low birth weight, and 16 percent are related to maternal factors and complications of pregnancy. Access to care before conception and between pregnancies has the potential to substantially reduce our high infant mortality.
- Insuring parents provides economic security to the whole family. Medical debt is a leading cause of bankruptcy. When one member of the family is uninsured, the entire family is at risk of financial ruin. It is only by covering the whole family that children are protected from this vulnerability.
North Carolina can use already available federal dollars to make its own affordable plan to close the coverage gap. Other states like Arkansas, Kentucky, and West Virginia have done it. It’s time for our elected officials to recognize this tremendous opportunity to provide half a million North Carolinians with health insurance at little or no cost to our state. It’s good for health, it’s good for business, and it’s good for children.
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HAPPENINGS IN THE DISTRICT:
Duke Energy donation gives a boost to education and jobs in Eastern North Carolina – Halifax County
- $100,000 gift to the Center for Energy Education will provide local teachers with training, resources and programs to enhance science curriculum
- Will help train professionals for the state’s solar industry
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Duke Energy Renewables has awarded $100,000 to the Center for Energy Education, a nonprofit organization whose mission encompasses research, education, and training workers for North Carolina’s growing solar industry.
Created by the solar development company, Geenex, LLC, the nonprofit will be located at the former Halifax County Airport, near Roanoke Rapids, N.C., adjacent to the 20-megawatt Halifax Solar Power Project owned by Duke Energy Renewables.
The center’s campus and 5,000 square-foot facility are under construction and expected to be complete in October 2016.
“Duke Energy Renewables’ support will enable us to take several big steps this year,” said Georg Veit, CEO of Geenex and chairman of the center’s board of directors. “Energy education has to start early in students’ lives, which leads to better professionals in the renewable energy industry.”
A portion of the funds is dedicated to a partnership with North Carolina State University’s The Science House, part of the school’s College of Sciences. The Science House will locate its Eastern North Carolina satellite office at the center and will work with local schools to provide resources, programs and teaching materials to K-12 educators.
In addition, the center will expand a professional development training program for N.C. science teachers that help them integrate energy education into the established science curriculum. With Duke Energy’s gift, the middle-school program will expand to elementary and high school teachers.
“Duke Energy’s investment will enhance the ability of the Center for Energy Education to motivate educators and students toward study and work in renewable energy,” said Vernon Bryant, chairman of the Halifax County Board of Commissioners.
“Halifax County looks forward to partnering with the center in building a foundation of skilled, knowledgeable workers for this growing industry sector as well as opportunities for interactive experiences for residents and visitors through walking trails and energy exhibits,” Bryant added.
The vision for the Center for Energy Education was based on a strong relationship with Halifax County and long-term commitment to the area.
“Through the solar projects we’ve built in Eastern North Carolina, we’ve brought jobs and economic development to the region,” said Greg Wolf, president Duke Energy Commercial Portfolio and Duke Energy Renewables. “Many communities have welcomed us, and we’re pleased to participate in a program that benefits these communities and will help local men and women gain the skills to qualify for jobs in the solar industry.”
The donation also will be used to develop a quarter-mile walking loop that will connect the center to outdoor exhibits on campus.
“The concept of the walking trail was developed in response to community interest in more spaces for physical activity that can also be an inspiration for sustainability,” said Veit. “We envision the walking loop as a first step toward further campus development that will incorporate healthy lifestyles, sustainable living and education about the positive impacts of renewable energy.”
Background
2015 marked a banner year for solar power in North Carolina as Duke Energy companies set a record for the amount of solar energy they added in the state — more than 300 megawatts (MW), enough to power about 60,000 average homes. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says North Carolina should be second only to California for utility-scale solar construction in 2015.
Since 2011, Duke Energy Renewables has built 25 solar facilities in North Carolina, representing 270 MW and an investment of about $700 million.
News editors: map and solar photos available upon request
About Duke Energy Renewables
Duke Energy Renewables, part of Duke Energy’s Commercial Businesses, is a leader in developing innovative wind and solar energy generation projects for customers throughout the United States. The company’s growing portfolio of commercial renewable assets includes 18 wind farms and 35 solar farms in operation in 12 states, totaling about 2,500 megawatts in electric-generating capacity. Learn more at www.duke-energy.com/renewables.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at: www.duke-energy.com. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
About the Center for Energy Education
The Center for Energy Education is a non-profit organization, located in Halifax County, N.C., whose mission is to be a cutting edge space where education, research and industry-leading professionals work and learn side by side. It is a space where the local community finds the inspiration and opportunities to become the energy professionals and advocates of sustainability of tomorrow. The Center will serve citizens throughout eastern North Carolina and beyond. Learn more at www.center4ee.org.
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Littleton College Destroyed
NC Culture posted: “On January 22, 1919, fire consumed a majority of the buildings on the campus of Littleton College in Halifax County. No lives were lost, but the devastation was so complete-damages exceeding $50,000-that the owner could not raise the money to rebuild.”
Originally opened in January 1882 as the for-profit Central Institute, the school received a legislative charter that same year. It was conceived as a place for “the intellectual, moral, and religious development and training of young ladies.” The all-female institute was affiliated with the Methodist Church.
The first principal of the institute was Reverend James Manley Rhodes, himself a graduate of Trinity College. In 1887, Rhodes left the institute for another female college but he returned in 1889.
Upon his return, Rhodes purchased the college property from the original stockholders. In the intervening year, 1888, the charter had been amended to change the name of the school to Littleton Female College.
Rhodes created a two-year program including such courses as chemistry, physics, stenography, languages and history. In 1912, the word “Female” was dropped from the name.
Tragically, the fire occurred at the height of the school’s popularity.
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AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS:
Roanoke Clinic Welcomes New Practitioner Brandon Carlisle, PA-C
A Roanoke Rapids native, Carlisle graduated from Roanoke Rapids H.S. and received a BA from North Carolina State. Brandon received a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from East Carolina University. He has a passion for family medicine and serves patients of all ages for acute and chronic conditions. Brandon is accepting new patients at Roanoke Clinic and has extended hours starting at 7:00 am. Call Roanoke Clinic at 252-537-9176 to make an appointment.
Congratulations to Dr. Vernita Williams, Principal at Barnes Elementary, Wilson, NC
Principal Vernita Williams recently earned a doctoral degree. Dr. Williams successfully completed her dissertation on Nov. 23 and graduated Dec. 18th from East Carolina University. Dr. Williams has been employed with Wilson County Schools for 19 years. During this time she served as a math teacher at Toisnot Middle, an assistant principal at Speight Middle and the principal of Stantonsburg Elementary. She has been the principal at Barnes since 2009.
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IN THE NEWS:
Wilson Times:
- ONE BILLION RISING – Barton students join worldwide event to end violence against women
Barton College students joined millions across the globe Thursday in an worldwide one-day event aimed to end violence against women.
Students met in the middle of campus to take a stand and be a part of the One Billion Rising international campaign where communities across the world take a stand.
“One Billion Rising is the biggest mass action to end violence against women in human history,” said Hollie Woodruff, Wesley Shelter’s youth services coordinator. Woodruff said the campaign launched in 2012 is a call to action based on the statistic that one in three women across the globe will be beaten or raped in their lifetime.
“With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than one billion women and girls,” she said.
Students also performed a choreographed dance Thursday as part of the campus event. Maya Beale, a sophomore, said it was important for her to be a part of Thursday’s event sponsored by the Wesley Shelter….
http://www.wilsontimes.com/News/Local/Story/40307271—ONE-BILLION-RISING
- Wilson City Council fills board seats
The Wilson City Council recently approved its list of council appointments to area boards and committees. The council regularly appoints members to serve on a variety of area boards, commissions, committees and task forces. The appointments include: Wilson County Tourism Development Authority: James Johnson III.
Wilson Economic Development Council: Donald Evans. Committee on Patriotism: Logan Liles. Arts Council: Tom Fyle. Joint City-County Liaison Committee: Michael Bell, A.P. Coleman, Evans and Johnson. Legislative Committee: Derrick Creech, Evans and Bell. Nominating Committee: Mayor Bruce Rose, Johnson and Creech. Redevelopment Commission: Rose and all members of the city council. Redevelopment Committee of the Redevelopment Commission: Bell, Coleman and Liles. Rural Transportation Advisory Committee: Liles, member; Creech, alternate. Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments: Coleman, member; Bell, alternate. Wilson County Properties: Fyle. Wilson County Transportation Systems: Bell. Wilson Downtown Development Corp.: Coleman, member; Rose, alternate.
http://www.wilsontimes.com/News/Local/Story/40285752—Wilson-City-Council-fills-board-seats
- Federal Student Aid Day
A Federal Student Aid Day will be held at Barton College Saturday, Feb. 20, from 9 a.m.-noon. There will be financial specialists and other representatives to assist students in the completion and the electronic submission of their free application. http://www.wilsontimes.com/News/Local/Story/40201619—Community-Briefs
Warren Record:
- 3rd annual Black History Month Program announced
The Warren County Community Center will hold its third annual Black History Month Program on Sunday, Feb. 21, beginning at 3 p.m. The program will be held at Coley Springs Missionary Baptist Church, 224 Parktown Rd., Warrenton, in the Afton community.The event will also serve as the conclusion of the Community Center’s annual Coin Drive fundraiser, which provides funding for maintenance of the historic building at 111 W. Franklin St. in Warrenton.Several groups will provide musical entertainment, including the family gospel group Johnny Boy and True Blessings from Louisburg, and Rev. Vincent and The Zionaires, a law enforcement gospel group…..
http://www.warrenrecord.com/news/article_f09bd8c0-d004-11e5-8389-63c95e5d3176.html
Henderson Daily Dispatch
- A Kerr-Vance Academy graduate will be the first in the history of the school to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. James Averette, who graduated from KVA last year, learned he was accepted into the Naval Academy earlier this month. http://www.hendersondispatch.com/news/kva-grad-first-from-school-to-enroll-in-naval-academy/article_5e45093a-c78d-11e5-b514-6fd27563253e.html
Rocky Mount Telegram
- Beach honored as Fire Chief of the Year. For more than 40 years, Minton “Butch” Beach has putting out fires http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/news/beach-honored-fire-chief-year-3125833
- The American Red Cross is in need of blood from area residents. Severe winter weather this month has forced the nonprofit organization to cancel more than 300 blood drives. For people in the Twin Counties interested in helping the American Red Cross, blood donation appointments can be scheduled by using the Red Cross Blood Donor app, logging on to redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-733-2767. For platelet donations, call 1-866-353-1030. http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/news/red-cross-seeks-more-blood-donors-3124849
The Daily Herald
- Ta’kyla White was chosen as the November Student of the Month because she is very hard working and is a role model for her peers. Ashley Griffin has been selected as November Employee of the Month. Dezaria Hill was chosen as December Student of the Month because of her inner strength and braveness. Ashaki Mitchell was chosen as December Employee of the Month. http://www.rrdailyherald.com/news/hcs-employee-student-of-the-year-recognitions/article_3995a030-cb62-11e5-8730-2f7badc30c39.html
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