WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) applauded the U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s decision to enable students and their families to take advantage of new William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program regulations, also known as PLUS Loan regulations, as early as the summer semester. The new PLUS Loan regulations reverse changes made to the program in 2011 which resulted in more than 17,000 students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) losing loan eligibility. The …
Friday / Weekend Open Lines
There have been 27 ratified amendments to the U.S. Constitution over the past 223-plus years, but that total comes with an asterisk. Uniquely, the 21st Amendment repeals the 18th, which began its short career this day in 1919. That amendment launched the Prohibition Era, a well-intentioned act of social hygiene, seeking to ban the availability of alcoholic beverages. The unintended consequences, though, were perhaps worse — vast flouting of the law by the public and a boost to organized crime. …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of Jan. 15 on North Carolina Weekend, enjoy a profile of Pittsboro. Go zip lining at Hawksnest at Seven Devils. Tempt your taste buds at Skippy’s Hot Dogs in Winston-Salem. Explore the Roanoke Canal and Museum in Roanoke Rapids. And take in a show by the N.C. Symphony, then sample a few restaurants in downtown Raleigh. (Please note: Listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by Visit North Carolina. In addition, UNC-TV has made recent editions of North …
Civil War 150 special section launches on VisitNC.com
This spring marks the 150th anniversary of the Confederate troop surrender at Bennett Place, which effectively ended the Civil War. A newly launched Civil War 150 overview on VisitNC.com commemorates this, in addition to the fall of Fort Fisher, the Battle of Bentonville and other major events that took place in North Carolina in the spring of 1865. The special section features trip ideas for visitors interested in Civil War sites statewide, as well as content highlighting upcoming sesquicentennial events, …
NC Cooperative Extension Updates
BACKYARD FARMER SCHOOL This spring, Warren Cooperative Extension will offer another session of our popular Backyard Farmer School! We are shooting for Thursday evenings starting sometime in March, registration details will be available soon. VANCE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET WELCOMES NEW PRODUCE VENDORS The Vance County Regional Farmers Market will soon be accepting vendor applications for the 2015 season, and we will especially welcome new produce vendors! As you begin to make planting plans for your farm (large or small!) please …
U.S. Figure Skating Championships to feature more competitors, bigger FanFest in Greensboro
Greensboro made a strong showing four years ago as host of the U.S. Figure Skating Championship, with more than 110,000 attending the various skating events. Add to that 26,000 who attended the free FanFest events outside the main arena, and 25,000 others who watched practices and other events on a second rink. The goal this year – the event is Jan. 17-25 in Greensboro – is to at least match those numbers, if not surpass them. That could be helped …
I-440 Ramp Closure at Poole Road for Fortify Project Set for this Weekend
RALEIGH – Construction crews on the Fortify Project plan to close the ramp from Poole Road onto I-440 East in Raleigh this weekend, weather permitting, as well as the right turn lane from eastbound Poole Road onto the interstate in the same area. The closures are needed to complete pavement reconstruction at the top of ramp to tie it in with the rebuilt lower section of the ramp. Crews will begin closing the ramp and roadway at 6 p.m. on …
NCDA&CS to host farmer meeting with Harris Teeter Feb. 12 in Concord
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will host a meeting Feb. 12 in Concord for N.C. farmers interested in selling fresh produce and greenery to Harris Teeter. The meeting will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Cabarrus County Center, 715 Cabarrus Ave. W., Concord. “The department is committed to helping farmers find new markets for their products,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “This meeting will offer local growers a chance …
Thursday Open Line
Dr. Martin Luther King would be 86 years old today. The civil rights leader, minister, and recipient of the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize was born in 1929 and assassinated in 1968. Next Monday is a national holiday, honoring his memory and life’s work, appropriate in a month that also sees the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. America’s diverse population of some 316 million enjoys the civil rights Dr. King advocated, including around 245 million whites, 44.5 million African-Americans, about 19 …
Numerous Delays for Thursday January 15th, 2015
Numerous Delays due to weather for Thursday January 15th, 2015. As of the time of this writing the delays are listed below. Please check with your institution directly for up to date information. Crossroads Christian School 2 hour delay Franklin County Schools 2 hour delay Granville County Schools 2 hour delay Henderson Collegiate 2 hour delay Kerr Vance Academy 2 hour delay Oxford Preparatory School 2 hour delay Vance Charter School 2 hour delay Vance County Schools 2 hour delay …
VGCC graduates 11 Law Enforcement Cadets in School’s 99th BLET Class
Eleven cadets graduated on Dec. 17, 2014, from the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program at Vance-Granville Community College, in a ceremony held in the Civic Center on Main Campus. After passing the state certification exam, all are authorized to work in any law enforcement agency in North Carolina. Graduates of VGCC’s 99th BLET class included Rufus Sales, chief of Durham County Alcoholic Beverage Control Law Enforcement; Reginald Lloyd Williams, Jr., of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office; Joshua David Justice …
NCDOT to Hold Public Hearing on Proposed NCDMV Rules Change
RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 27, to solicit comments regarding the proposed N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles North Carolina Administrative Code (19A NCAC 03B .0201) rule change relating to driver license examinations. A summary of the proposed changes would: Allow for the remote renewal of a driver’s license. The hearing will be held at the Wake County Commons Building, Conference Room 100B, 4011 Carya Drive in Raleigh. The hearing is …
Vance County Schools – Larry Webb Named Principal of Northern Vance High School
Dr. Larry Webb has been named as the new principal for Northern Vance High School, according to an announcement today by Superintendent Ronald E. Gregory. Webb has served as the principal of Eaton-Johnson Middle School for the last several years. He becomes the new principal for Northern Vance following the resignation of Dr. Michael Applewhite as principal of the school. Gregory also announced that Willie Fuller, a long-time assistant principal at Eaton-Johnson, will serve as the school’s interim principal until …
Vance County NAACP Banquet February 21st, 2015
106th Annual Equality Fund Banquet Saturday, February 21, 2015 Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center 6:30 p.m. GUEST SPEAKER: Irving L. Joyner NC Central University Law Professor Member of NC NAACP Legal Team $30.00 per person $15.00 Children 12 and under Contact number for tickets: 1-252-219-0042
Information Sought for Monday Shooting – Reward Offered
On Monday, January 12, 2015, members of the Henderson Police Department Patrol Division responded to Party Pick Up, 655 N. Garnett Street, Henderson in response to someone being shot. When officers arrived, the investigation revealed that the incident had not transpired at Party Pick Up but in fact had occurred at China Kitchen, 511 East Andrews Avenue. Kvon Fogg, 19, 1800 Julia Avenue, Henderson told officers that he had been shot multiple times. Fogg was unable to provide officers with …
Vance County’s Public Safety Committee Meeting Friday January 16th, 2015
Please be informed that the County’s Public Safety Committee (Brummitt, Brown and Hester) is scheduled to meet Friday, January 16 at 11:00 a.m. in the Administrative Conference Room. The purpose is to discuss Animal Control matters. Please note that all Commissioners are invited to attend, so it is possible that three or more Commissioners may be present.
VGCC to host Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday Celebration on January 21st, 2015
This event was originally scheduled for Wednesday January 14th, 2015 but rescheduled due to weather. — Vance-Granville Community College will hold a special program celebrating the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 11 a.m. in the Civic Center on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County. The celebration is free and open to the public. The theme of this year’s event is “How can we educate, inspire, and support our community?” The program will include inspirational …
Wednesday Open Line
January is Financial Wellness Month, appropriately timed to the confluence of New Year’s resolutions and holiday bills. It’s a time to set new goals for financial freedom and moderation in spending; for people to understand the benefits of “paying yourself first.” A financial adviser can help shape money management goals, pointing out the power of compound interest to work for you in savings and against you in debt. Americans have a per capita income average of nearly $28,000 and a …
Numerous Delays for Weather – Wednesday January 14th, 2015
As of the time of this writing, the follow delays have been reported. Please check with your institution directly for the most up to date information! Vance County Schools will have a two-hour delay for Wednesday, January 14, 2015, for all students and all school system employees due to the forecast for inclement weather in our area. — All campuses of Vance-Granville Community College will open at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2015. Due to the projected inclement weather, …
NCDOT Division 5 Crews Ready for Winter Weather
Raleigh – NCDOT crews in Division 5, which includes Wake and Durham counties, are ready to deal with the first potential winter weather event of the season. With the forecast calling initially for cold rain, then the temperature falling to freeze wet surfaces, brining ahead of time wasn’t a viable option. Instead, the plan had maintenance crews loading up their trucks with sand and/or salt earlier today and then being sent home to rest. Those crews will return this evening …