Vance-Granville Community College has announced that 126 students earned President’s List and 132 earned Dean’s List academic honors for the fall semester that ended in Dec. 2016. The President’s List recognizes students who achieved a perfect 4.0 grade-point average (GPA) while carrying a “full load” (of at least 12 credit hours) in 100-level or higher curriculum courses. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student had to earn a GPA that was at least 3.5 but less than 4.0, and …
N.C. Corn Growers Plan Referendum in February
February 22, 2017 is the date when corn growers will vote on continuation of the self assessment program for six years. The Board of Directors of the Corn Growers Association is asking that farmers assess themselves at a rate of 1.25 cents per bushel on all corn marketed in North Carolina. The campaign to continue the assessment was announced on January 13 by President Dennis Waller at the North Carolina Commodities Conference of Corn, Cotton, Soybeans and Small Grain Producers …
Vance County Schools Empowerment Academy Builds New Garden With Help from Karma for Cara Foundation
Administrators and students at the Vance County Schools Empowerment Academy have created a garden outside of the facility’s main entrance with funding from a special grant program. The grant funding, totaling about $170, came from the Karma for Cara Foundation which funds youth volunteer projects. Brian Schlessinger, a teacher at the Empowerment Academy, led efforts to apply for the grant and create the garden. He worked with his students and administrators at the academy to seek the grant funding and …
N.C. tomato growers plan referendum in March
The N.C. Tomato Growers Association will conduct a statewide referendum in March to continue the $20 per acre assessment on harvested commercial tomatoes. Funds generated by the assessment would support research, education and marketing to promote tomatoes grown in North Carolina. The proposed assessment term is six years, beginning with the 2017 crop. All N.C. farmers engaged in the production of tomatoes on a commercial basis, including owners of farms where tomatoes are produced, tenants and sharecroppers, are eligible to …
VGCC President honors English department
The president of Vance-Granville Community College, Dr. Stelfanie Williams, recently recognized a group of faculty members for excellence by awarding the “Vanguard Cup” to the college’s English department. The department became just the second recipient of the cup, an honor created by Dr. Williams to recognize “exceptional team performance toward the college mission, vision and strategic plan.” In this case, the English department was particularly noted for developing a strategy to improve students’ writing skills, which would in turn help …
Henderson Vance Downtown Development Commission holds State of Downtown Meeting
The Henderson Vance Downtown Development Commission held a State of Downtown meeting on February 9th, 2017 in the Farm Bureau Room of the Perry Memorial Library in Henderson, NC. The purpose of the meeting was to raise awareness of the programs and accomplishments by the HVDDC in 2016, plans for 2017, and gather feedback from downtown business owners of issues. Speakers and topics were Phil Hart – HVDDC Chair Overview of HVDDC Introduction of meeting agenda and set expectations for the …
Henderson Fire Department Citizen Academy 2017
Tentatively scheduled for March 9-April 27 on Thursday nights from 6-8pm. Learn about the Henderson Fire Department, what they do, and how to be proactive in life safety skills including First Aid, CPR, the use of fire extinguishers and more hands on activities and learning sessions. For more information, please contact the Henderson Fire Department at 252-438-5108
Vance County Drop Out Rate Declines
The N.C. Department of Public Instruction has announced the 2015-2016 graduation rates and the 2015-2016 dropout rates for public school districts across the state. Vance County Schools saw significant improvement over previous years in both areas. With a four-year cohort graduation rate of 81.9 percent for the class of 2016, this is a record high for Vance County over the past five years. The class of 2015 had a four-year cohort graduation rate of 77.6 percent in Vance County. Vance …
Congressman G. K. Butterfield honors the contributions and progress made by African Americans
February marks Black History Month, a time to reflect on the struggles of the past, the progress made in recent decades, and the work that remains as we work to fulfill the goal of full participation in American democracy. Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) honored the contributions and progress made by African Americans in a video message released today. Congressman G. K. Butterfield currently serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus and is the immediate past …
Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) statement on Betsy DeVos’s Confirmation as the United States Secretary of Education
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement after the Senate voted 51-50, to confirm Betsy DeVos of Michigan as the United States Secretary of Education: “Among a historically unqualified cabinet, Betsy DeVos was the least qualified nominee. Not only does DeVos have no experience working in the public school system, neither she nor her children had ever even attended a public school. Yet, today, Senate Republicans confirmed Ms. DeVos to head the U.S. Department …
Mid-Year Graduates from AdVance Academy at WVHS
Congratulations to the mid-year graduates from the AdVance Academy at Western Vance High School. Chris Alston, Krystyna Stallings and Jose Hernandez, shown from left in the accompanying photo, have successfully completed their high school education. They were honored at the academy’s mid-year commencement ceremony on January 26. Alston and Hernandez are going into the local workforce. Stallings will continue her education at Vance-Granville Community College.
Richard Brand: A New Beginning
For the last few years nothing has been more obvious than the fact that Congress and the American government is not working. The gridlock is preventing any action on all major issues. Except for the few folks who believe that the best thing government can do is nothing, the rest of us believe that the Congress should work to enact the things that the constitution says they are supposed to do: “establish Justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common …
Vance County Schools Now Accepting Kindergarten Registrations
Vance County Schools are currently accepting pre-kindergarten applications and kindergarten registration at all elementary schools for the 2017-2018 school year. To apply for pre-kindergarten children must be 4 years old on or before August 31, 2017. To register for kindergarten, children should be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2017. Parents are urged to go to the elementary school in the area where they live now to register their children for the upcoming school year. …
Senator Richard Burr: Confirming the President’s Cabinet
The 115th Congress is off to a productive start. Over the last few weeks, the Senate has been engaged in the important work of evaluating and confirming President Trump’s cabinet and executive appointees. As chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, I led the confirmation hearing for CIA Director Mike Pompeo, a key member of the national security team. As a member of the Senate Finance and Health, Education, Pensions, and Labor Committees, I participated in hearings for Education …
Ellington Farms recognized for safety
Ellington Farms in Vance County was recently recognized as a Certified Safe Farm by NC Cooperative Extension. The local Extension Center provides a voluntary and complementary safety review of all equipment and facilities used by the farming operation to identify potential hazards. Farms with a passing score are awarded Certified Safe Farm status and receive a sign to post on the farm. The program recognizes farmers who work hard to maintain safe equipment and a safe environment while doing one …
Butterfield Urges Administration to Rescind Anti-Muslim, Anti-Refugee Executive Order
Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s executive order halting all refugees from entering the United States and immigrants from seven majority-Muslim countries that resulted in the detainment of travelers with valid U.S. visas and travel documents at airports across the country over the weekend: “I condemn in the strongest possible terms President Donald Trump’s executive order. This order flies in the face of American values and raises serious legal and …
VGCC offers Spring Mini-Term Classes
Although the Spring 2017 semester at Vance-Granville Community College is underway, there are still opportunities to register for a variety of classes offered during “mini-terms.” These sections start later during the semester, but end on May 8, at the same time as the full 16-week courses, and they include just as many hours of instruction as under the traditional schedule. The Spring 12-Week Mini-Term begins on Tuesday, Feb. 7. The complete list of courses is available by visiting schedules.vgcc.edu …
Vance County Public Schools Calendar Changes
Changes have been made in the school year calendar for Vance County Schools in order to make up the three student days missed due to recent snowfall in January 2017. Friday, January 20, and Monday, January 23, are now full school days for students. The first semester of the school year will end on Wednesday, January 25, except at Early College High School. First semester exams are being administered at the high schools, except Early College High School, January 19-20 and …
Butterfield Honors the Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) released the following statement on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which is observed annually on the third Monday of January, in honor of Dr. King’s birthday on January 15, 1929: “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. moved generations of Americans to challenge inequality, while carrying the message of hope and optimism. As we honor the life of Dr. King, let us reflect on his vision of human rights, economic justice, and equality. “In 1966, Dr. …
Vance County Martin Luther King Jr Events
Courtesy of Senator Angela Bryant: Monday, Jan. 16th – 8am – Rho Beta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Alpha Kapa Alpha Sorority, Nu Chi Omega Chapter, Oxford-Henderson Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta and the Henderson-Vance Black Leadership Caucus Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Breakfast, at Spring Street Baptist Church, 511 Orange Street, Henderson NC. Speaker: Pastor Anthony Vickers. For information email willieramey2@gmail.com Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Forum: Monday January 16, 2017 – …