In this week’s address, the President wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving and reflected on the history of our country and its celebration of diversity. He gave thanks for the many Americans who sacrifice every day, from volunteer workers who serve their communities, to men and women in uniform who serve us all. On Thanksgiving, a holiday that is uniquely American, he reminded us to focus on what unites — our commitment to American ideals like justice and equality and our …
Friday / Weekend Open Lines
Given what seems to be the ever-growing profusion of coffee vendors, imagine what a crisis it would be if coffee were suddenly rationed. That’s exactly what happened this month in 1942, because the Second World War had interrupted shipments and people were hoarding coffee. But rationing lasted only until the next summer. It’s thought that coffee was introduced into America by Captain John Smith, one of the founders of the Jamestown Colony in Virginia. Its popularity jumped after both the …
Congresswoman Renee Ellemers: Wishing You a Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving I wish you and your loved ones a Thanksgiving full of joy and laughter with close friends and family. Today is a day for remembering the many blessings present in each of our lives. On this day of thanks, I hope you will join me in remembering those who are serving our country and are unable to be home with their family this holiday season. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. I am grateful …
Christmas With the EMBERS featuring Craig Woolard Friday, December 5th, 2014
We are excited to usher in the Christmas season for the Henderson community with our annual “Christmas with the EMBERS” show. The always popular concert will again be held at the Vance Granville Community College Civic Center with doors opening at 6 p.m. The Christmas with the EMBERS show is an outstanding community event for Henderson and draws a capacity crowd. The show last year was sold out and we expect no less this year. So, order your tickets now!! …
Thursday Open Line
Today is Thanksgiving Day, one of the most traditional of American holidays, thought to have begun in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The holiday became national in scope in 1863, and the fourth Thursday of the month has been the official day since 1941. It’s a time for family gatherings that combines solemnity and joy — and often involves watching football. In many of the nation’s 115 million households, people will share a special meal, typically turkey with all the traditional …
Highway I-40 Fortify Project Gains Momentum as It nears Phase II
RALEIGH—Motorists driving through the Fortify I-40/440 Rebuild Project in Raleigh will soon see work ramp up on the I-40 portion of the project, known as Phase II. This comes as Phase I is on schedule and almost complete. The I-440 West section from the I-40 split to the I-495/U.S. 264/64 interchange is scheduled to be in its updated traffic pattern by the end of December. The I-440 East section is expected to be open in its three-lane pattern by the …
United Way of Vance County Seeking Nominations for Outstanding Local Volunteers
The Volunteer Center Advisory Board of the United Way of Vance County is seeking nominations of outstanding local volunteers for recognition in the annual N.C. Governor’s Volunteer Service Award program. We know that there are many dedicated volunteers in our community who are deserving of this state recognition. We are seeking nominations for those who through the donation of their time and talents have made a positive difference in our community over the last year. Nominations forms may be picked …
Representative Nathan Baskerville Bulletin
Download the latest newsletter here: after session newsletter 2014.pdf
Vance County Joint Education Committee Meeting
The Education Committees for the Vance County Board of Education and Vance County Board of Commissioners will meet on Friday, December 5, 2014 at noon. The meeting will be held in Jerry Ayscue’s Conference Room.
Vance County Schools – Life Skills Day Presentations
Representatives from businesses in Vance County led presentations to high school sophomores as part of the “Life Skills Day” events held at Early College, Northern Vance, Southern Vance and Western Vance high schools on November 6 and 13. The business people visited classrooms and talked with students about how to successfully seek a job and go through a job interview. The business experts used their own experiences to offer the students helpful information. Other presenters for the “Life Skills Day” …
NCDA&CS offers tips on caring for fresh Christmas trees
RALEIGH – Over the next few weeks, North Carolina families will visit choose-and-cut farms, tree lots, farmers markets and shopping centers in search of the perfect fresh Christmas tree for their holiday decorations. It’s important to know how to care for the tree once you get it home. “For many families, choosing the perfect Christmas tree is the start of their holidays, and giving your tree proper care will ensure it stays fresh throughout the season,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve …
President Obama Delivers a Statement on the Ferguson Grand Jury’s Decision
Speaking from the White House Briefing Room, President Obama spoke to the American people about the announcement of the grand jury’s decision in the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. The President joined Michael Brown’s parents in calling on anyone who protests to do so peacefully.
Wednesday Open Line
The first traffic signal with indicators for stop, go and caution was patented this month in 1923. The green light went to African-American inventor Garrett Morgan, who decided to do something after witnessing a collision between a car and a horse-drawn wagon on a Cleveland street. At the time, there were already more than 15 million motor vehicles on the nation’s roads. Morgan’s three-position signal was manually operated by a traffic officer during peak hours. This invention, with its staffing …
Thanksgiving “Click It or Ticket” Campaign
The N.C. Department of Transportation and the Governor’s Highway Safety Program kicked off the Thanksgiving “Click It or Ticket” later Monday at a news conference at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh. North Carolina hit a milestone this June by achieving a seat belt usage rate of more than 90 percent, which is the highest statewide rate to date. While Wake County’s seat belt usage rate improved to 88.3 percent, it remains below the statewide seat …
NCDA&CS urges shoppers to keep watch to make sure you are getting the right price at the register
RALEIGH – As retail stores gear up for the busy holiday season, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services urges shoppers to pay attention at the register to make sure sale items are ringing up at the right price. “We have 21 inspectors throughout the state that inspect price scanners at grocery stores, discount stores and large-format retail stores as a part of their job,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Last year we inspected about 3,000 locations across the …
Elementary School News November 24-28, 2014
VANCE COUNTY SCHOOLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS Volume 2 Issue 15 November 24-28, 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 Teacher workday on Wednesday. No school for students. Thanksgiving holidays on Thursday and Friday. All schools and school system offices are closed. SCHOOL EVENTS FOR THIS WEEK Aycock …
Vance County Schools – Walking Classroom at Carver Elementary
Letitia Fields and Regina Miles are leading their students through unique learning opportunities with the use of their “Walking Classroom” instructional materials at Carver Elementary School. Fields’ fifth graders and Miles’ fourth graders are among the students who use the miniature disc players and headphones to listen to the audio instruction as they walk around the school’s campus. The “Walking Classroom” was purchased with a $1,600 grant and allows the students to get good, physical exercise while learning in the …
Vance County Schools – N.C. Principal of the Year Visit
Dr. Carrie Tulbert, North Carolina’s current Principal of the Year, visited Eaton-Johnson Middle School on November 4, as part of her promise to visit each of the schools of the fellow 2014-2015 regional principals of the year. Dr. Larry Webb, the state’s Region 3 Principal of the Year, welcomed Tulbert to his school. Tulbert spent several hours at Eaton-Johnson as she toured the facility and met school staff members and students. During her visit, Tulbert asked lots of questions and …
Vance County Schools Upcoming Committee Meetings
Update: The Personnel Committee Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, 2014, has been postponed until Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. Originally: Vance County Board of Education Committee Meeting Dates * Personnel Committee, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014, 8:30 am Note: All meetings are held in the Superintendent’s Conference Room.
Vance County Schools – A Reading Principal at Zeb Vance
For the second consecutive year, Principal Anne Garrison took time out of her busy schedule to read to students at Zeb Vance Elementary School during the school day on November 12. Her reading adventure was part of the “Read Your Heart Out” activity in the Book It Pizza Hut Challenge. As she did last school year, Garrison occupied a spot in the school’s main lobby to gather favorite books and read them to students in classes who signed up throughout …