Many 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. It featured a sign with flashing lights that changed the first letter so that it alternated the words …
Author: Submitted Article
VGCC holds College Day for transferring students
Vance-Granville Community College hosted admissions officers from four-year colleges and universities on Nov. 20 in the Student Learning & Success Center on VGCC’s Main Campus. The event was VGCC’s annual “College Day,” where students obtain important information about transfer requirements, financial aid and scholarships that can help them continue their education. VGCC counselors organized the fair in partnership with the Carolinas Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers (CACRAO). VGCC students browsed through displays, picked up informational materials, and talked …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of Dec. 11 on North Carolina Weekend, ring in the holiday season with the Raleigh Ringers. Renew your appreciation of the military at the Price of Freedom Museum in China Grove. Explore the unusual Körner’s Folly in Kernersville. Find unique items at Piedmont Floral Galleries and Rufty’s Chrismon Shop in Salisbury. And enjoy the Winter Lights at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by Visit North Carolina. In addition, …
Thursday Open Line
Throughout history, debt had been a criminal offense, with penalties ranging from enslavement to mutilation. In colonial America, some debtors were branded or whipped in public, but most were thrown in jail, debt being the only crime for which long-term imprisonment was common. But this month in 1821, Kentucky became the first state to abolish debtors’ prison. The nation followed with a federal ban in 1832. Americans are fortunate in the more forgiving attitudes toward debt, encouraged by our near …
Vance County Board of Commissioners Special Called Meeting Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Vance County Board of Commissioners will hold a special called meeting on Wednesday, December 17th at 12:00 noon in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room. The purpose is to enter into closed session to discuss a personnel matter. Action may be taken in open session after the closed session.
Vance County Public Safety Committee Meeting Notice December 11, 2014
Vance County’s Public Safety Committee is scheduled to meet Thursday, December 11 at 3:30 p.m. in the Administrative Conference Room. The purpose is to discuss Animal Control matters.
Vance County Farmers Market Advisory Board December 11, 2014
The Vance County Regional Farmers Market will have a short meeting this Thursday, 12/11/14, at 11:30 am. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss a possible heating system project. Meetings of the Farmers Market Advisory Board are open to the public.
NC Continues to Lead Nation in National Board Certified Teachers
North Carolina just added another 527 newly-credentialed teachers to its National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) corps. Although North Carolina placed second behind Washington (946) in 2014 for the total number of newly Board certified teachers, the state continues to lead the nation in its total number of NBCTs at 20,611. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) recently released the latest numbers for states and the nation. Twenty-one percent of North Carolina’s educators are National Board certified. State Superintendent …
Market Shoppes at State Farmers Market will host Open House Dec. 13
RALEIGH – The State Farmers Market will be a great place to find locally made holiday gifts Saturday during the Market Shoppes Open House. The annual event will feature free samples from market vendors and prize drawings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vendors will be selling an assortment of products including N.C. meats and cheeses, fresh seafood from the coast, jams and jellies, wines from across the state and homemade baked goods. Shoppers also can find unique gift baskets, …
VGCC Vice President endows Scholarship
Dr. Angela Ballentine, the vice president of academic and student affairs at Vance-Granville Community College, has established a new scholarship for students at the college where she has served for more than 20 years. Ballentine has named this new scholarship the “Charles and Audrey Ballentine Academic Achievement Scholarship,” in memory of her parents. Her father and mother, who passed away in 2003 and 2013, respectively, were both educators in Rockingham County. “My parents were public school administrators and community leaders, …
Wednesday Open Line
“Scarcely any political question arises in the United States that is not resolved, sooner or later, into a judicial question.” That was the observation of Alexis de Tocqueville in his famous 1835 book, “Democracy in America.” Lawyering came early to the United States. In the middle of the Revolutionary War, the College of William and Mary established the first law school this month in 1779. The Williamsburg, Virginia school didn’t hire the professors, as they were paid directly by their …
Vance County Farmers Market: Season Extension for Farmers & Gardeners
This Thursday, 12/11, come out to the Vance County Regional Farmers Market to learn about Season Extension Techniques from Dr. Sanjun Gu. This seminar will start at 10 am. Dr. Gu is an Extension Specialist from NC A&T State University, and will cover all the ways you can grow crops early and late, such as row covers, high tunnels and much more. Don’t miss this unique opportunity! Registration requested by calling 252-438-8188.
Elementary School News December 8-12, 2014
VANCE COUNTY SCHOOLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS Volume 2 Issue 17 December 8-12, 2014 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 Board of Education will meet on Monday at 7 p.m. in the Board Room of the Administrative Services Center on Graham Avenue in Henderson. Teacher Talk session for …
NCDOT Awards $6 million to Improve Roads in Durham County
Raleigh—The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a contract to improve 25 miles of roadway in Durham County. The $6 million contract was awarded to Carolina Sunrock, LLC of Raleigh. As part of the contract crews will be resurfacing: • 1 mile of N.C. 751 between N.C. 54 and I-40; • 3.2 miles of U.S. 15/501 Business between Garrett Road and University Drive; • 0.2 miles of U.S. 70 Business (9th Street) between Main Street and Hillsborough Road; • 0.9 …
Vance County Schools – Students Volunteer for Salvation Army
Students in the National Technical Honor Society and Career and Technical Education classes at Northern Vance High School volunteered to ring the bell and seek donations for needy families through the local Salvation Army during the evening of December 1, at the Walmart Supercenter in Henderson. They rang the bell and asked for donations from 4 to 8 p.m. as they shared the holiday spirit with shoppers as they entered and left the store. The students included, in the first …
VGCC Seminar Focuses on Starting a Business
Area residents whose goals for the New Year include starting a new business venture will want to mark their 2015 calendars for an upcoming seminar from the Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center. The SBC will offer a free seminar, entitled “Ten Steps to Starting a Business,” on Tuesday, Jan. 6, from 6 until 9 p.m. in Building 7 on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. Jess McLamb of Raleigh, president of the Roper Group, will lead the seminar, …
Middle and High School News December 8-12, 2014
VANCE COUNTY SCHOOLS WEEKLY SCHOOL NEWS Volume 3, Issue 17 A Publication for Middle and High Schools December 8-12, 2014 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 Board of Education will meet on Monday at 7 p.m. in the Board Room of the Administrative Services Center on Graham …
Tuesday Open Line
One of the universal conveniences of modern life, and a boon to those of us with little time to spend grocery shopping and cooking, was developed by a man who was born on this date in 1886. Clarence Birdseye was on a scientific expedition to Labrador early in the 20th century when he noticed that freshly caught fish froze solid almost immediately when exposed to Arctic atmospheric conditions. But when thawed and eaten, the fish still tasted fresh. Birdseye went …
Henderson Vance Crime Stoppers Crimes of the Month – Rewards Offered for Info
Armed Robbery Case: On November 09, 2014 at approximately 7:52 P.M. Henderson Police Department officers responded to 4 Bingo parlor, in reference to an armed robbery. Upon arrival officers talked to Kiara Harris who stated that a black male came up to her vehicle with a hand gun and opened the door of the car demanding money. The black male was wearing a black sweeter and a white mask. Ms. Harris stated that she had no money, but the suspect …
Legislative Update from Senator Burr
Wednesday evening the House passed a piece of legislation Senator Casey and I have been working on for nearly 8 years. The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act passed with broad bipartisan support, 404-17. I am incredibly pleased that the House passed the ABLE Act this week. Families of individuals with disabilities often face overwhelming financial burdens associated with the expensive costs of healthcare, education, housing and transportation. The ABLE Act will make it easier for parents of disabled …