RALEIGH – Front Street Brewery in Wilmington took home the Best of Show honors among professional breweries in the inaugural N.C. Brewers’ Cup competition. Front Street’s Amber Jack ESB beat out 33 other commercial beers for the honor. Chris Creech of Chapel Hill took home Best of Show in the homebrewing competition for his home-brewed Irish Dry Stout. The competition was judged by eight professional beer judges on Sept. 29. A total of 177 entries were judged – 33 professional …
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NC Cooperative Extension: Present Use Value property tax program
Vance County is undergoing a Compliance Review of the Present Use Value program. So far the County Tax Office has sent notices to about a third of enrolled landowners, with the remaining notices to be sent around the first of the year. Note that under the “Agriculture” or “Horticulture” category, the landowner is required to have average gross farm income of at least $1000 per year over the past three years. The Tax Office requires documentation of income, which could …
Attorney General Roy Cooper: Illegal “Robocalls” Irritate, Scam Consumers
It’s against state law for a business to call you using a recorded message, but North Carolinians are continuing to receive these automated calls, often called robocalls. Most of these calls are scams designed to steal your personal information. Hundreds of consumers have filed complaints about a robocall from “Rachel , with Card Services” who claims to be able to lower your credit card rates for an upfront fee. Another common robocall claims the FBI has noticed a spike in …
State Board of Education Adopts ‘Vision of Public Education in North Carolina’
The North Carolina State Board of Education today adopted the “Vision of Public Education in North Carolina: A Great Public Education System for a Great State” to guide their work and encourage a shared commitment to assuring a strong, flexible and coherent education system that serves all students and that is geared toward the promotion of the public interest. The vision statement is available here. (pdf, 629kb) “We have a responsibility for all children in the state, not just the …
White House: Operation Educate the Educators
This afternoon, I (Dr. Jill Biden) was so honored to meet two of our nation’s youngest heroes – 11-year-old twin sisters Felicity and Abigail. The 7th graders love to read and play sports, and, like many of our nation’s 1.3 million school-age military children, their current school is not their first school. Felicity and Abigail have attended five different schools in four states in the past seven years. They have left old friends and met new ones, transferred school records, left …
Friday / Weekend Open Line
U.S. based manufacturers receive new orders every month worth close to a half-trillion dollars. To underscore the health and prospects of this closely watched economic sector, today is Manufacturing Day, with activities staged across the country by American companies. The main focus is a series of open houses to show that the words “Made in America” are still a powerful sign of innovation and quality. These open houses will enable the public to see for themselves that American manufacturing is …
VGCC receives positive feedback as SACS Committee visit ends
A committee representing the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Commission on Colleges wrapped up its on-site visit to Vance-Granville Community College on Sept. 26, marking an end to a crucial step in the process by which the college receives reaffirmation of its accreditation. The ten-member On-Site Committee consisted of administrators and faculty members from colleges in Southern states outside of North Carolina, and was chaired by Dr. Carl Hite, the president of Cleveland State Community College in Tennessee. …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of Oct. 7 on UNC-TV’s “North Carolina Weekend,” experience the festivities at the Edenton Peanut Festival. Take in the wonders of nature at the Charlotte Nature Museum. Step back in time via a tour of Civil War sites in Kinston. Consider a stay at the Jarrett House in Dillsboro. And enjoy a profile of Farmville. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) “North Carolina Weekend” is exclusively underwritten by the N.C. Division of Tourism. In addition, UNC-TV …
NCDOT to launch $1.6 million study of I-95 tolling
In response to questions raised by the public, the N.C. Dept. of Transportation announced Tuesday (yesterday) it will begin a study on the economic impact of tolling along Interstate 95. The study, which will take six months to complete, will examine the positive and negative aspects of adding lanes on I-95 and paying for them with tolling or other funding. The department said the study will also look at what would happen if lanes or other significant improvements requiring additional …
Vance County Schools – New Hope Backpack Buddies Programs
Two local churches are supporting students at New Hope Elementary School this school year through their Backpack Buddies programs, which involve church members each week donating non-perishable food items that are sent home for the weekend with selected students. Barbara Slaughter, school counselor at New Hope Elementary, works closely with the churches to coordinate the programs. The congregation of Island Creek Baptist Church, which also had a Backpack Buddies program with the school last year, supports 15 identified students with …
VGCC schedules Digital Photography and Software courses at Main Campus
Area residents can register now for short-term courses in photography and two software programs, which will soon be offered by the Occupational Extension Computer Center at Vance-Granville Community College. All three of these courses are scheduled to start in October at VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County. “Digital Photography & Photo Editing (Level 2)” is set to be held on Monday evenings from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Oct. 29 through Dec. 17. The instructor is Nancy Jo Smith, a Kittrell-based professional photographer …
Best Dish in N.C. winners announced
RALEIGH — Winners were announced in the Best Dish in North Carolina competition, which showcases restaurants using local ingredients. Organizers said 2012 was one of the most competitive years yet. “The bar has been raised over the years and this year’s results show just how difficult it can be to place in this competition,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The difference between first and second place was three points or less in several categories and we even had our first …
Thursday Open Line
Tomorrow marks the birth in 1882 of a man who ended up being called “The father of the space age” — Robert Goddard. He was just 17 when he climbed a tree to think about his future and decided to dedicate his life to developing rockets and space travel. This when America moved by horse and buggy and steam engine. Goddard’s work led to the first liquid-fueled rocket launch in 1926 and, later on, the development of solid propellants. Space …
Vance County Schools Seeking Business Partnerships
The Vance County Board of Education hopes to begin a new initiative that will further build a positive relationship with the business community. By partnering with Vance County businesses, we seek to enhance the educational experience of all Vance County children by demonstrating the importance of a strong relationship between the school system and the business community. In particular, the Board of Education’s goal is to strengthen every student’s opportunity for success by reinforcing the critical bond that is needed …
Lenovo to open computer manufacturing line in N.C.
Governor Bev Perdue and Lenovo, the world’s second-largest personal computer vendor, announced today (Oct. 2) the company will build a U.S. personal computer manufacturing line in Whitsett, near Greensboro. The announcement defies a trend that has seen electronics manufacturing jobs migrate overseas for more than two decades. As part of the expansion, Lenovo will create 115 new manufacturing jobs where workers will build both Think-branded notebook and desktop PCs for sale to domestic business, government and education customers, as well …
Building materials manufacturer CertainTeed holds ribbon-cutting in Roxboro
CertainTeed Corporation, a leading North American manufacturer of building materials, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 25 at its new Roxboro facility. The N.C. Department of Commerce’s Vivian Powell was the original developer on this project. Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco spoke at the event, which also included CertainTeed President and CEO John Crowe. “Our tremendous workforce in this area is a big factor, as well as our low costs of doing business in North Carolina,” Crisco said. “We must continue to …
Attorney General Roy Cooper: Beware of calls from phony drug agents
We’ve warned you before about calls or computer pop ups from phony law enforcement or government officials, where scammers use the threat of legal action or even arrest to try to get you to pay them money. In the latest version of this scam, the callers claim to be agents with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The phony agents claim that you purchased medications online illegally and owe hundreds or thousands of dollars …
Honda Aircraft holds groundbreaking of PTI facility
Honda Aircraft held a groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 27 for its new facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport. N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco joined Honda CEO Michimasa Fujino, Vice President Tony Piazza, Greensboro Mayor Robbie Perkins, and others at the event. “Nothing is as impressive in our state’s history than the invention of flight and the innovation of Wilbur and Orville Wright,” said Crisco. “That brings us forward to this day and the innovation of Honda Aircraft and …
Semprius holds grand opening in Henderson
Solar power innovator Semprius held a grand opening Sept. 26 for its new pilot production plant in Henderson. The project was made possible in part by state grants from the Job Development Investment Grant and One North Carolina Grant programs. To meet the targets established in these performance-based grants, the company plans to create 256 jobs over five years and make a capital investment of $89.7 million in Henderson. The N.C. Department of Commerce’s Bernard Torain was the original developer …
State Tourism Office Links Visitors to Fall Color, Fishing
RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct. 2, 2012) — With fall unfolding like magic, the North Carolina Division of Tourism is tapping the interactive power of social media to keep travelers connected to the landscape’s most vibrant foliage and the coast’s most bountiful fishing. Followers of VisitNC.com on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram can post and view current foliage photos from lofty Blue Ridge Mountain overlooks and rolling Piedmont woodlands as well as shots of just-caught red drum, bluefish and spotted seatrout. As …