For 15 years, the Down East Viking Football Classic has drawn thousands of Elizabeth City State University alumni and football fans to Rocky Mount, filling up hotels and packing restaurants. Delicious barbecue, football and a series of events acclimating youth to the college atmosphere have been the classic’s mainstays, and the event continues to have a large economic and social impact on the area. The Classic draws an estimated 15,000 visitors to Rocky Mount, providing an economic impact in the …
Thursday Open Line
The shutdown is affecting more than 800,000 federal employees across the country. Governor Pat McCrory told the Council of State Tuesday thousands of state employees could also face furloughs. As many as 4,500 workers with the Department of Health and Human Services are totally or partially funded by the federal government. Read the full article here http://wunc.org/post/shutdowns-reach-north-carolina
With fall fire season approaching, N.C. Forest Service offers tips to prevent wildfires
RALEIGH — As fall wildfire season approaches, the N.C. Forest Service encourages North Carolinians to heed the call of National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 6-12, and take steps to ensure careful burning of leaves and yard debris. Fall wildfire season typically lasts from mid-October until mid-December, the time of year when people do a lot of yard work that may include burning leaves and yard debris. These fires sometimes escape and start wildfires. There are many factors to consider before …
Apple Day set for Thursday at State Farmers Market
The State Farmers Market will host Apple Day in celebration of the state’s apple industry. North Carolina is the seventh-largest apple producer in the nation. Visitors can enjoy free apple dessert samples prepared by the State Farmers Market Restaurant. There also will be a variety of fresh N.C. apples available for purchase from market vendors. Apple Day is sponsored by the N.C. Apple Growers Association, State Farmers Market Restaurant, State Farmers Market and N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.WHEN: …
Political Satirist Mark Russell Coming to the JPAC at Louisburg College
LOUISBURG, N.C.—On Friday, October 11th at 7:30pm, piano-playing political satirist Mark Russell will take the stage with material ripped from today’s headlines. Known for skewering Democrats and Republicans alike, Russell’s unique brand of comedy earned him the Mark Twain Award for political comedy and has made him a popular favorite on PBS. Long before Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert, there was Mark Russell, daring to joke and sing of the often absurd political process. This event will take place in the …
Wednesday Open Line
Went to get the normal open lines text I use from the census site and was given this instead: Due to the lapse in government funding, census.gov sites, services, and all online survey collection requests will be unavailable until further notice. Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at <usa.gov>. Websites affected by this shutdown are all census.gov hosted websites, including: Census.gov American Factfinder Public API FTP Servers FAQs Blogs Online Surveys Federal Statistical …
Butterfield Blasts Republicans Over Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement regarding the Republican-imposed government shutdown: “In all my years of having a front row seat to their antics, today House Republicans have reached a new low. For the first time in 17 years the federal government has shutdown. Government buildings are closed. Federal employees will lose pay. Public servants will work without the guarantee of pay. And far too many Americans will experience unnecessary delays in services. …
VGCC offers Sewing class at Main Campus
Vance-Granville Community College will offer a Sewing class on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. The course, taught by Lunnie Taborn of Oxford, will be held on Monday evenings from 6:30 until 9:30 p.m., Oct. 21 through Nov. 25 in room 5201 (Building 5). Taborn has been teaching sewing classes like this one at VGCC for the past 13 years. Each session, newcomers join students who return to take the course again and again. “I’ve had a couple students …
Plan Your Fall Parkway Drive With Shutdown in Mind
RALEIGH, N.C. (September 30, 2013) — Fall foliage seekers can travel the Blue Ridge Parkway, the most visited unit of the National Park Service, even with a federal government shutdown. But with visitor centers and other staffed facilities set to close, careful planning is recommended for travelers driving along the 252 miles from the North Carolina High Country to the Great Smoky Mountains. “Without the convenience of comfort stations every 20 or 30 miles, travelers will want to scope out …
NY Times Bestselling Author Coming to Louisburg College
LOUISBURG, N.C.—As part of Louisburg College’s Arnold L. Wright Reading Series, author Wilton Barnhardt will be on campus the evening of Tuesday, October 8 to share excerpts from his new novel, Lookaway, Lookaway, a comical tale about a dysfunctional Old South family. The reading will begin at 7:30pm in the College’s Norris Theatre, located in the southern wing of the JPAC (Seby B. Jones Performing Arts Center). Immediately preceding the reading, the community is invited to view WRAL’s “College Road Trip” …
VGCC Phi Beta Lambda chapter installs new leaders
Vance-Granville Community College’s Chi Beta Chi chapter of Phi Beta Lambda, the business student organization, recently elected officers for the 2013-2014 year. New officers were installed and members were inducted at a ceremony on Sept. 24 on VGCC’s Main Campus. The officers include president David Henry of Macon, vice president Eric Person of Kittrell, secretary Hannah Davis of Henderson, treasurer Dashaun Cheek of Oxford, and Veronica Yount of Townsville and Jessica Nava of Oxford, who are sharing the responsibility of …
Butterfield Applauds Justice Department Lawsuit Challenging NC Voter ID Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today applauded the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for filing suit against North Carolina over its restrictive new voting law that includes discriminatory provisions aimed at disenfranchising thousands of North Carolinians. The lawsuit follows Butterfield’s repeated requests to the DOJ to legally challenge the state law under the Voting Rights Act. “I applaud Attorney General Eric Holder for acting within his constitutional duty to protect the voting rights of North Carolinians,” said …
Attorney General Roy Cooper: As Obamacare Kickoff Nears, look out for scams
The first day of enrollment for the Affordable Care Act is October 1. On that day, people will be able to begin shopping for insurance plans on the newly created Health Insurance Marketplaces. Unfortunately, scammers are likely to use these changes as an opportunity to try to rip you off. While the scammers’ approaches may differ, their goal will be the same: to con you into paying money that you don’t need to pay, sell you a fake product, or …
VGCC schedules Spring Semester New Student Orientation sessions
The Spring 2014 semester at Vance-Granville Community College begins Monday, Jan. 13, and orientation sessions for new students will begin soon. Attending an orientation session is required for all new students in any of the college’s curriculum programs, and for students who are returning to VGCC after being away for three or more years. Students must also meet with an advisor or counselor before registering for classes. Orientation sessions are scheduled to be held in the Civic Center on VGCC’s …
NC Department of Revenue Presents “Business Essentials” in Henderson, NC
The NC Department of Revenue will present a seminar titled “Business Essentials”. The NC Department of Revenue will cover basic requirements to help businesses in North Carolina understand the laws and obligations necessary to be a compliant business. Overview of the Seminar: Participants will become familiar with NC tax laws that are pertinent to businesses and the responsibilities of a business owner. The seminar will provide a range of information on how to register a business to filling out and …
White House: Applying for Health Insurance Just Got Easier
On October 1, millions of Americans will have a simple new way to get affordable health coverage: the Health Insurance Marketplace. With one application, you’ll be able to compare all your coverage options side-by-side, learn if you can get lower costs based on your income, and enroll in a plan that fits your needs and your budget. In fact, the new application is so simple, it’s 17 pages shorter than the current application you’d fill out to enroll in …
Historic Tour Of Homes & Churches In Townsville & Countryside Saturday, October 26, 2013
HISTORIC TOUR OF HOMES & CHURCHES IN TOWNSVILLE & SURROUNDING COUNTRYSIDE SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2013 Rain date: November 2, 2013 Tour sites open from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Contact Information: 252-235-8728 or historictour.wix.com/tumcor or Tabernacle.nccumc.net or P. O. Box 86, Townsville, NC 27584. Tickets: $17.00 each OR $15.00 each FOR groups of 5 or more by advance purchase. $20.00 each, on the day of the tour. Refreshments served at historic Tabernacle UMC during tour hours.
Butterfield to Host Town Hall on Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment on Tuesday
WASHINGTON, DC – On Tuesday, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) will host a telephone town hall for residents of the First Congressional District to provide an update on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act including enrolling in the health insurance marketplace, which begins on October 1. He will also answer questions posed directly by his constituents. “Many people have questions about how the Affordable Care Act will impact them and their families and whether or not they qualify for …
Tuesday Open Line
On this date in 1785, the first city directory in the United States was published. Fittingly, it was in the young country’s place of birth — Philadelphia. The directory’s title was “Macpherson’s Directory, for the City and Suburbs of Philadelphia.” It contained 6,250 resident names. The 1790 Census found Philadelphia’s population to be just over 28,500, making it America’s second largest urban place, behind perpetual first place New York City. Today, Philadelphia is the nation’s fifth largest city, with a …
White House: Turning the lights off
If the United States government shuts down tonight and our economy takes a hit, it will be because House Republicans let it happen. Right now, there’s a bill sitting in the House that funds the government for a few more weeks. It doesn’t demand the repeal or delay of the health care law, or deny women access to birth control, or include any other failed, partisan proposals. It funds the government. That’s it. And if Republican leadership allowed a simple …