Gov. Pat McCrory has proclaimed July Got to Be NC Agriculture Month. The proclamation notes agriculture and agribusiness constitute the top industry in North Carolina, providing more than $77 billion in revenue, of which $14.9 billion comes directly from farm production; North Carolina leads the nation in the production of sweet potatoes and tobacco, and is second in production of pork, trout, poultry, eggs and Christmas trees; and nearly a fifth of the state’s workforce is employed in some field …
NPS announces the availability of $3 million in grants for outdoor recreation in cities
The National Park Service has announced the availability of $3 million in grants from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for a new “Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership” program, a nationally competitive grant program. These funds will help acquire and/or develop land for public parks and other outdoor recreation spaces in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Matching 1:1 grants will be awarded in amounts between $250,000 and $500,000 federal share. Proposals, whether state or locally-sponsored, must be submitted by each state’s Land and Water …
Butterfield Statement on the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) released the following statement today to mark the 50th anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson enacting the landmark Civil Rights Act on July 2, 1964: “Without question, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is one of the most significant laws in this nation’s history. This 50th anniversary is a time to remember the debt all of us owe to the courageous leaders of the civil rights movement of the 1960s. “This landmark law …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of July 3 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, enjoy a walking tour of Bath. Explore Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo. Experience the Franklin Folk Festival in Franklin. Discover Fontana Village Resort in Fontana Dam. And check out the scene at Babylon in Raleigh. Due to special holiday programming, the program’s re-airing on Friday, July 4, will be at 11 pm. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by the N.C. Division …
Claim Your Independence This July 4th With NC-filmed TAMMY
WILMINGTON—The North Carolina filmed comedy, Tammy, hits theatres nationwide this Wednesday, July 2, in anticipation of the 4th of July holiday. Filmed in Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender counties, the feature stars Oscar winner Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids, Identity Thief, The Heat, TV’s Mike and Molly) as a down on her luck fast food worker who hits the road with her profane, hard-drinking grandmother after losing her job and finding out her husband has been unfaithful. Joining McCarthy on the screen …
AAA projects 41 million Americans to celebrate summer freedom with an Independence Day getaway
AAA Travel projects 41 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Independence Day holiday weekend, a 1.9 percent increase from the 40.3 million people who traveled last year and a nearly 14 percent increase compared to the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The majority of travelers will be celebrating their freedom with a road trip, with more than eight in 10 (34.8 million) choosing to travel by automobile, the highest level since 2007. The Independence Day …
White House: 50 Years Later
In the latest installment of Being Biden, the Vice President reflects on the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, and shares a photo of himself with Representative John Lewis, Jesse Jackson, and other leaders of the civil rights movement. It was 50 years ago today that President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law. And Vice President Biden reminds us that, as we celebrate the Fourth of July, we must also celebrate and remember the struggles of …
Thursday Open Line
Befitting the eve of the nation’s celebration of freedom, one of the most important pieces of legislation in our history became law on this date in 1964. The Civil Rights Act, signed by President Lyndon Johnson, swept away Jim Crow laws by prohibiting discrimination based on race in all accommodations and facilities open to the public, as well as employment, union membership, and voter registration. Shortly after the Civil Rights Act became law, nearly 42 percent of blacks lived in …
N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority Approves Five Grants
The N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved five grants totaling $1.4 million to companies for projects with the commitment of more than 130 new jobs in North Carolina. The grants include: Community Development Block Grant ($240,000) for the Town of Faison (Duplin County). Funds for the new distribution lines and an elevated water storage tank will allow Southern Produce Distributors to construct a new 90,000-square-foot warehouse that will be used to store sweet potatoes and sweet potato processed products …
N.C. Bioenergy Research Initiative announces 2014 grant recipients
RALEIGH – The N.C. Bioenergy Research Initiative recently awarded $500,000 in grants for six new research projects to boost bioenergy opportunities and production in the state, according to Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We are excited to have the opportunity to explore bioenergy potential through these grants for North Carolina’s agricultural and forestry industries,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. Below is a list of grant recipients and projects: $35,000 to the Institute of Forest Biotechnology for “Testing Biotech Poplars as a …
N.C. State Fair announces 2014 Dorton Arena lineup
RALEIGH – The 2014 N.C. State Fair Dorton Arena lineup will feature performances by country, gospel, rock and contemporary Christian artists, along with a stand-up comedian. Vanilla Ice will kick off the series on Thursday, Oct. 16, with a “Throwback Thursday” show. The rapper and reality TV show personality became the first hip hop artist to top the Billboard pop singles chart with his hit “Ice Ice Baby” in 1990. Friday, Oct. 18, will feature gospel artist, Tamela Mann. Mann …
Coastal Divisions Prepare for Tropical Storm Arthur
RALEIGH —The N.C. Department of Transportation is keeping a close eye on Tropical Storm Arthur and making preparations to ensure we’re ready to respond if needed. Crews in the coastal divisions are checking equipment to make sure it is working properly, topping off their fuel tanks and staging equipment as necessary prior to the storm’s arrival. Along the Outer Banks, crews are staging front end loaders, motor graders and bulldozers along N.C. 12 in Ocracoke, Rodanthe and Pea Island, south …
NCDOT Awards $7.8 Million Contract for Tryon Road Improvements in Wake County
RALEIGH — N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a contract to widen and improve Tryon Road in Wake County. The $7.8 million contract was awarded to S. T. Wooten Corp. of Wilson. The project includes realigning part of the current Tryon Road route to go through the Renaissance Park development from U.S. 70/401/N.C. 50, as well as replacing the bridge over Norfolk Southern Railway. That will eliminate two sharp curves just east of the railroad bridge. In addition, both new …
General Assembly Approves Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina has recieved full approval from the General Assembly. Governor Pat McCrory signed the bill into law on Tuesday, June 24 at a special ceremony in the Old House Chambers of the State Capitol. The public-private partnership will start operations this month. The Economic Development Partnership will operate as a private, non-profit corporation that will contract with the Department of Commerce to handle many of the state’s job recruitment and retention functions. The EDPNC …
Independence Day Weekend Celebration July 5th, 2014 Kerr Lake
Saturday, July 5, 2014 6:30 – 10:00 pm Satterwhite Point Kerr Lake Fireworks, Live Entertainment, Food Vendors, T-Shirts, Glow Sticks and more. “The Sand Band” will perform Beach and Carolina Shag dance music along with your favorite oldies from 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm Satterwhite Point, Kerr Lake, Henderson, NC No Alcohol Allowed Free and open to the public Sponsored by: Vance County Department of Tourism 252-438-222 or 866-438-4565 www.kerrlake-nc.com
Restraining order sought for victims of sexual extortion in federal housing subsidy program
LAURINBURG, July 1, 2014 – Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Fair Housing Project and Greensboro attorney Craig Hensel are asking a U.S. district court to prevent a nonprofit housing group from retaliating against eight women who say the group’s employees extorted sex in exchange for facilitating their participation in a federal housing subsidy program. Legal Aid and Hensel filed a motion for a temporary restraining order against the group, Four-County Community Services (FCCS), and two of its employees, John Wesley …
VGCC offers CDL-B driver training course
Vance-Granville Community College has scheduled a Class B Commercial Driver License (CDL) course at the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. Classes will be held on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Aug. 2 through Oct. 11. This course prepares North Carolina residents for jobs operating a variety of commercial vehicles, such as delivery trucks, dump trucks, cement trucks, passenger buses and utility trucks. The training provides students with the vehicle maneuver skills and background needed to take the …
Wednesday Open Line
On this date in 1788 — 226 years ago — the Constitution of the United States was formally established, transforming the loose organization of the states under the Articles of Confederation into a more perfect union. Besides securing the rights of citizens and establishing the limits of government authority, the Constitution calls for a census every 10 years to ensure that seats in the House of Representatives reflect the distribution of the U.S. population. The 1790 Census found 3.9 million …
July is Got to Be NC Agriculture Month
RALEIGH — Farmers across North Carolina are in full swing, bringing their fresh fruits and vegetables to market. Those farmers are part of the state’s $78-billion agriculture industry. In recognition of agriculture’s importance as the state’s top industry, Gov. Pat McCrory has proclaimed July 2014 as Got to Be NC Agriculture Month. “We created the Got to Be NC marketing program almost a decade ago to help consumers identify local products no matter where they shop,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve …
Tuesday Open Line
Income taxes first came to America 152 years ago today, when President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill levying a 3 percent tax on incomes between $600 and $10,000, and 5 percent for greater incomes. After helping finance the federal cause in the Civil War, the tax was rescinded in 1872. The income tax all of us know today dates to 1913, when the 16th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, giving Congress the power to levy such taxes. About 146 …