Raleigh, NC – Governor Pat McCrory announced Wednesday that North Carolina tourism generated record visitor spending in 2014 with a total of $21.3 billion, a 5.4 percent increase over 2013. Additionally, tourism industry supported employment topped 200,000 jobs for the first time. “Nearly 50 million people from across the United States visited North Carolina last year, and the money they spent supported more than 204,000 jobs and more than 40,000 businesses,” Governor McCrory said. “North Carolina is the sixth most visited state …
NAMI North Carolina calls for reducing stigma about mental illness during Mental Health Awareness Month
RALEIGH, NC (May 6, 2015) – May is Mental Health Awareness Month and is an opportunity to learn both about mental health as part of overall health and the need to be alert to symptoms of mental illness. Unfortunately, stigma, access to care and other issues can be barriers to treatment. The National Alliance on Mental Illness North Carolina (NAMI NC) wants everyone to know that one in five adults experience mental health problems every year, which can contribute to …
North Carolina-grown flowers and plants are Mom-approved
RALEIGH – Flowers and plants are almost always the perfect way to let someone know you are thinking of them, and with so many varieties grown in North Carolina, it is easy to find fresh, beautiful plants or flowers for any occasion, such as Mother’s Day – hint, hint. “North Carolina’s floriculture industry is as vibrant as the colorful plants and flowers grown in the state,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We have more than 19 million square feet of …
Henderson Police Department Fraud Alert
The Henderson Police Department has received reports of fraudulent activity occurring in the City of Henderson. We remind our citizens to be ever vigilant when out in the community. We encourage our citizens to be philanthropic but cautious of their donors. In one such scam, individuals are approaching citizens, primarily the elderly on public vehicular areas around the city and delivering sad stories. When encountering such individuals, we suggest referring the individuals to civic or government organizations such as a …
Thursday Open Line
Thursday, May 7th. What is perhaps the nation’s foremost professional organization, the American Medical Association, was founded on this date in 1847 in Philadelphia. Two hundred-fifty delegates from 28 states attended the founding meeting, which adopted the first code of medical ethics and established the first nationwide standards for preliminary medical education and the degree of MD. At the time, there were some 50,000 medical doctors in the U.S. Today, there are 600,000. Physicians and surgeons have median annual earnings …
Congratulations to Jodi Pulley of E.O. Young Jr. Elementary
Congratulations to Jodi Pulley, secretary at E.O. Young Jr. Elementary School, for being selected as one of only 100 school secretaries across the nation as a winner of the Scholastic Inc. Secretary Appreciation Sweepstakes as part of recognitions for Administrative Professionals’ Day on April 22. Jodi is featured in our April school system newsletter (accessible on our website) and today is featured in a great front-page article with color photos in the local newspaper! This is indeed a prestigious award. …
CBC Chair Releases Letter to Baltimore Fraternal Order of Police Expressing Concern over Comments Made by Gene Ryan
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, sent a letter to Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police President Gene Ryan urging him to reconsider his comments regarding Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby’s handling of the Freddie Gray case. Butterfield’s full letter to Ryan can be found here. http://Butterfield.House.Gov
Dessert contest planned for Strawberry Day at State Farmers Market May 14
RALEIGH – Cooks who love strawberries are encouraged to take part in the Strawberry Dessert Contest at the State Farmers Market on Thursday, May 14. The contest is one of the many activities planned for the 2015 Strawberry Day at the market. Dishes will be judged on flavor, appearance, quality and creative use of strawberries. Recipes should include at least two cups of N.C. strawberries, and strawberries must be a main ingredient. Desserts containing raw eggs will not be judged. …
VGCC SBC Small Business Seminar – Networking Tips
The Small Business Center of Vance-Granville Community College is offering the following FREE small business seminar next week: SEMINAR TITLE DESCRIPTION OF SEMINAR LOCATION DAY TIME DATE Register Networking Tips That Can Grow Your Small Business In this seminar, you will learn networking strategies that can help grow your small business. You will learn how to make a good first impression, as well as techniques and communication skills to apply in your daily business. Attendees will learn • …
Wednesday Open Line
This is National Nurses Day, the start of National Nurses Week. It’s an occasion established to honor the outstanding efforts of nurses in helping to keep Americans healthy. The observance ends next Tuesday, the birthday in 1820 of Florence Nightingale, who established the world’s first nursing school in England in the 19th century. In the U.S., there were some 12,000 registered nurses by 1900. Today, that figure is some 2.7 million, with median annual earnings of over $65,000. As their …
Vance County Arts Council Royal Pageant May 22, 2015
The Vance County Arts Council will sponsor the Emrose Prince/ Princess Pageant on Friday, May 22, 2015, 6:00 PM at Henderson Middle School. The categories consists of : Emrose Prince/Princess ages six months to five years and Emrose King/Queen ages six to Thirteen years. Students interested in participating may pick up a packet at the school office. Packets may also be picked up information packets from the Perry Memorial Library Children’s desk, Vance County Chamber of Commerce, or by calling …
NC Cooperative Extension Garden tips, strawberries, garden seminars & more!
GARDEN PATH NEWSLETTER, LATEST EDITION Download our latest issue at the link below. You’ll find lots of great gardening information, timely tips, and much more! http://gardenpathnews.blogspot.com/2015/05/garden-path-newsletter-may-2015.html STRAWBERRY SEASON! I can think of nothing more tasty than a fresh NC grown strawberry, and the season has begun! We expect to have a good supply this Wednesday at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, and you will also find them at various farm stands around the area. Call me if you need …
Middle and High School News May 4-8, 2015
VANCE COUNTY SCHOOLS WEEKLY SCHOOL NEWS Volume 3, Issue 35 A Publication for Middle and High Schools May 4-8, 2015 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 ? This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week! Tuesday is National Teacher Day. Wednesday is National School Nurse Day. SCHOOL …
VGCC Radiography student selected for national leadership program
Nicholas L. Kemp of Franklinton, a Radiography student at Vance-Granville Community College, is among 90 radiologic science students from around the country who were recently chosen to participate in the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) 2015 Student Leadership Development Program. Kemp is one of two North Carolina students who were accepted into the program, and the only one from a North Carolina community college. He is also the first student ever selected from VGCC. The program offers students a …
VGCC to offer Craft Artists Entrepreneurship program at Farmers Market
Vance-Granville Community College is offering a new course designed specifically to help creative local residents with skills in arts and crafts to succeed as entrepreneurs. The “NC REAL Professional Craft Artists Entrepreneurship” program will be conducted at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, located at 210 Southpark Drive in Henderson, on Tuesdays from 6 until 9 p.m., June 9 through July 21, 2015. This is the second class offered by the college at the Farmers Market, which opened in 2014. …
Major Change Coming Late this Week for Motorists Using Saunders Street Exit on I-40 West in Fortify Work Zone
Raleigh-Motorists on I-40 West who use the South Saunders Street/U.S. 70/401/N.C. 50 exit (No. 298) in the Fortify project will see a major change in the exit traffic pattern starting late this week. Weather permitting, on Friday night, May 8, the ramp for exit 298-A, which puts traffic on southbound South Saunders Street/U.S. 70/401/N.C. 50, will be closed for several months. This will allow crews to safely do bridge and interchange work along I-40 at that location. The change means …
Ferguson named to oversee Law Enforcement training at VGCC
A veteran of the criminal justice and education fields recently became the new leader for Vance-Granville Community College’s programs that train both beginning and experienced law enforcement officers. Andrea Ferguson, a resident of Manson, is VGCC’s new coordinator/instructor of law enforcement training, including the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program. Ferguson previously served as an instructor for the VGCC Criminal Justice Technology program, and was for three years head of that program. She has been a member of the VGCC …
Elementary School News May 4-8, 2015
VANCE COUNTY SCHOOLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS Volume 2 Issue 35 May 4-8, 2015 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 This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week! Tuesday is National Teacher Day. Wednesday is National School Nurse Day. SCHOOL EVENTS FOR THIS WEEK …
Heads shaved, thousands raised for cancer research at VGCC St. Baldrick’s event
Vance-Granville Community College’s South Campus hosted a St. Baldrick’s “Head-Shaving” event on March 28, raising $2,821 for children’s cancer research. Donations were made to sponsor 11 people whose heads were shaved in the Cosmetology lab on the campus. The event was organized by VGCC Human Services Technology program head/instructor Tracy Wallace of Kittrell, who became involved with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation because of his 11-year-old son, Tyler, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2010. The highlight of the VGCC …
Tuesday Open Line
In Spanish, today’s date is Cinco de Mayo, and celebrations will be held in many cities across the U.S., as well as Mexico. These events mark the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla in 1862, when outnumbered Mexican troops defeated the invading French forces of Napoleon III. Over the years, the celebration has evolved from one of military victory to a colorful and vibrant event, celebrating Mexican culture. Appropriately, this is also National Salsa Month. There are nearly 35 million …