This week, we learned that the U.S. economy declined at a 2.9% annual rate in the first quarter of 2014 — the most in five years! This latest news just highlights the need for the Senate to pass the dozens of House jobs bills that are still awaiting action. In addition to the bad economic news this week, we received even more bad news on Obamacare, including news that health insurance premiums are increasing dramatically as a result of the …
NCDA&CS restaurant week promotion, Dig into Local, runs July 14-23
RALEIGH – Diners in eight Piedmont counties can enjoy special, locally sourced menu items at 42 participating restaurants as part of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ “Dig into Local” Restaurant Week July 14-23. “The promotion coincides with the peak of North Carolina’s summer harvest season, giving chefs lots of local options to incorporate into their menus,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “With so much culinary talent and creativity in this state, combined with the freshest products, these …
Legislative Update from Senator Burr
Tuesday, I joined my Senate colleagues and members from the House to discuss legislation which would address the deeply rooted problems at VA. It is now time for us, in partnership with VA, to begin to repair the damage that has resulted from the systemic failures that have undermined the trust veterans had placed in VA. Most importantly, we must ensure that veterans get the appointments they need from the doctor of their choice, provide the transparency needed to do …
Hagan, Butterfield Introduce Legislation to Allow Justice for Individuals Harmed by Toxic Pollution
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kay Hagan and Congressman G.K. Butterfield introduced legislation in the Senate and House that will protect the ability of North Carolinians harmed by toxic chemicals to seek legal recourse, including Marines harmed by contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune and families exposed to toxic chemicals at the CTS superfund site near Asheville. A recent Supreme Court ruling could prevent these individuals and families from pursuing legal recourse, and Hagan and Butterfield’s legislation clarifies that federal law preempts …
Louisburg College Alumnus Receives Order of the Long Leaf Pine
LOUISBURG, N.C.—A Louisburg College alumnus recently received one of North Carolina’s highest honors. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine was presented to the Honorable James F. Ammons, Jr., ’75, a Cumberland County Chief Superior Court judge. “Every one of you here is guilty of conspiracy,” a surprised Ammons told cronies after receiving the award in the Ammons courtroom on behalf of Governor Pat McCrory. Since its creation in 1963, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine has been presented …
White House Weekly Address: Focusing on the Economic Priorities for the Middle Class Nationwide
In this week’s address, the President discussed his recent trip to Minneapolis where he met a working mother named Rebekah, who wrote the President to share the challenges her family and many middle-class Americans are facing where they work hard and sacrifice yet still can’t seem to get ahead. Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that’s happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and beyond. This week takes us south of the border with the Vice President, to …
Monday Open Line
The first electric power company in America, and perhaps the world, was formed on this date in 1879 in San Francisco. This was nearly four months before Thomas Edison successfully tested his practical incandescent light bulb, but there was no lack of customers, as the power supplied by the California Electric Light Company illuminated some three dozen arc lamps in downtown hotels and businesses. This electric supplier was the predecessor to the current Pacific Gas and Electric company. Today in …
Mari Miller: Farmer’s Market hosts a “Grand Opening”
The Vance County Regional Farmers Market hosted their “Grand Opening” Saturday, June 28th. I attended the first day of the market back on June 11th, visiting 9 vendors with a wide selection of items for attendees. This time the market was fuller with a total of 12 vendors. Six of the vendors that were there I met on my first trip, (Simple Luxuries, Kerr Lake Master Gardeners, JASM Farms, Franklin Brothers Nursery and Greenhouse, LouMag Enterprises, and Backroad Farm and …
Warren County Summer Meals for Kids
The Summer Food Service Program provides free nutritious meals to all kids age 18 and younger at participating sites. Find a site, show up, eat and have fun! June 16 – August 8, 2014 (WCHS) June 19 – July 30, 2014 (WCMS) June 23-August 8, 2014 (F&M Mobile) June 23 – August 7, 2014 (Mary & Howard Place) Places: Warren County Middle and High Schools, F&M Mobile Home Park 105 Queens Street (Warrenton), Mary & Howard Place 305 Warren Plains …
Vance County Board of Education Called Board Meeting Monday June 30, 2014
VANCE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION Called Meeting Monday, June 30, 2014 5:30 p.m. Administrative Services Center Superintendent’s Conference Room 1724 Graham Avenue Henderson, N. C. 27536 AGENDA I. Call to Order * II. Approval of Meeting Agenda III. Finance: * A. Final 2013-2014 Budget Amendments * B. Adoption of Interim 2014-2015 Budget Resolution * C. Bank Signature Authority Change * D. Child Nutrition’s 2014-2015 Bids IV. Policy: * A. Policy GBCB, …
Friday / Weekend Open Lines
Consumers’ options for managing their finances were greatly broadened on this date in 1934 after President Roosevelt signed the Federal Credit Union Act the day before, promoting the nationwide formation of credit unions. These differ from banks by being member owned and controlled. Credit unions are nonprofit institutions where groups of people can save, borrow, and obtain other financial services. There are nearly 18,000 credit unions in the U.S., employing about a quarter million people. These establishments range from a …
Man Arrested on Felony Possession of Ammo and Distributing Heroin
On Wednesday, June 25, 2014, members of the Henderson Police Department Criminal Investigation Division arrested William Albert Bowers. Bowers was charged after a federal grand jury returned a true bill of indictment alleging three criminal offenses. Bowers was charged with one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition and two counts of distribution of a quantity of heroin. Bowers was transferred into the custody of the United States Marshall Service on June 26, 2014. Bowers arrest is another …
Gov. McCrory signs Economic Development Partnership bill into law
Gov. Pat McCrory signed House Bill 1031 into law Monday afternoon. The N.C. Economic Development Partnership bill creates a nonprofit corporation to assist the N.C. Dept. of Commerce in fostering and retaining jobs and business development, international trade, marketing, and travel and tourism. This initiative has been a top priority for the governor and N.C. Commerce Sec. Sharon Decker since entering office. “This legislation allows us to put a new economic development approach in place that helps to create jobs …
Vance County Schools Newsletter The Lamplighter June 2014
Vance County Schools Newsletter The Lamplighter June 2014 Download here: VCS Newsletter
Butterfield Statement on One Year Anniversary of Supreme Court Ruling in Shelby County v. Holder
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) released the following statement today on the one-year anniversary of the Shelby County v. Holder ruling: “In the year since the Supreme Court overturned Section 4 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act (VRA) in Shelby County v. Holder, many Republican-led states passed laws that severely diminish Americans right to vote. “In my home state of North Carolina, Governor Pat McCrory and his party members have destroyed the progressive reputation for voting inclusion …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of June 26 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, celebrate a summertime staple at the N.C. Blackberry Festival in Lenoir. Pedal and dine via the Hungry Town Bike Tours in Beaufort. Take in the “Mario Botta: Architecture and Memory” exhibit at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art in Charlotte. Enjoy a variety of music at the Brevard Music Festival in Brevard. And the “House Special” samples the fare at Fish Bites Seafood Restaurant in Wilmington. (Please note: listings …
Study: Improving U.S. 70 would be a boon for eastern N.C.
Upgrading U.S. Highway 70 in eastern North Carolina could boost the state’s economy, attract new jobs and provide a faster route from Raleigh to the coast, according to a study released last Thursday. The study, prepared for the U.S. 70 Corridor Commission and the N.C. Dept. of Transportation, suggests building bypasses around Goldsboro, Kinston, New Bern and Morehead City. The enhancements would cut travel time from Raleigh to the coast by more than an hour, the report said. Currently, the …
Follow these tips to keep the Fourth of July wildfire-free
RALEIGH — The N.C. Forest Service encourages people to celebrate Independence Day by viewing public fireworks displays rather than risk setting wildfires with their own fireworks. “Careless use of Class C fireworks — such as sparklers, fountains, glow worms, smoke devices and trick noisemakers — causes many wildfires in the summer,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “And we all know that wildfires endanger peoples’ lives, destroy timber and property, and damage the environment.” If people take the risk of using …
Thursday Open Line
The person’s name is not known, but whoever bought a pack of chewing gum at the Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio on this day 40 years ago was making history. It was the first purchase of an item to be scanned into a cash register by using the Universal Product Code — much better known as the bar code. Realizing the significance of the event, the buyer returned the item — a 10-pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit — which is …