Category: News

A possible education-dedicated 1-cent increase in the local sales tax survived a lengthy Vance County Board of Commissioners discussion Monday night. But the commissioners tossed around enough options and preferences and alternatives before and after passing a resolution on the sales tax that school board members were left uncertain whether they’d won.

Henderson couldn’t resist the tasty aroma of the Wildflower on Monday.

The Henderson Planning Board needed only about 10 minutes Monday to endorse two efforts to establish better controls over automobile facilities in the city, including the elimination of junkyards.

State Rep. Michael Wray announced in his weekly e-mail update to constituents Friday that he will vote to support an education-dedicated lottery when the House takes up the issue this month.

The Vance County Board of Commissioners should seek legislative approval for a local referendum on a sales tax increase to support school construction.

An alternative-sentencing program is asking for Vance County to restore funding for its efforts to break the cycle of revolving-door justice.

County Commissioner Tommy Hester, Sen. Elizabeth Dole, Embassy Square Foundation Executive Director Kathy Powell, Mayor Clem Seifert and state Treasurer Richard Moore prepare for the placement of the first steel beam toward the end of the construction celebration ceremony. It was a gray day, an April Fools’ Day, and it was a beautiful day for all involved with Embassy Square.

The Rev. Joseph Ratliffe and Bennett Perry join the beauty quens and, far left, Kathy Powell in celebrating Friday. A few interesting tidbits from Friday’s ceremony:

Rain or shine, today’s the big day at Embassy Square.

KARTS is willing to expand its bus route to the Aycock Recreation Complex this summer to help kids who need something to do, the Vance County Coalition Against Violence heard Thursday night.

Two of the Vance County Coalition Against Violence’s efforts to reach out to the Police Department could be merged, but first the coalition has to decide exactly what it wants from a citizen group working with Chief Glen Allen.

Vance County’s department heads have until the third week of April to complete their budget request documents, and County Manager Jerry Ayscue said it’s clear from the outset that this will be another tough budget year.

The old National Guard armory on Dabney Drive is not an ideal building for use by the school system, but the dual purpose of saving the structure and meeting a need for schoolchildren is enticing, Superintendent Norm Shearin said in an interview last week.

Vance County Schools’ latest hope for financing school construction is not a bond referendum but an increase in the local sales tax.

Some questionable contracted engineering could wind up costing Henderson and the other partners in the Kerr Lake Regional Water System more than $40,000.

Alive! After Five is set for two appearances at the Henderson Operations & Service Center this year, but a planned third concert has been lost in the debate over alcohol use on city property.

The city of Henderson is likely to crack down on restaurants soon to reduce the amount of grease seeping into the sewer system and producing blockages and leaks.

A nationally recognized spoken-word troupe will highlight an anti-violence afternoon for youths at the Aycock Recreation Complex on Saturday, April 30.