Report on June 25th 2013 Council Budget Consensus from Mr. Ray Griffin, City Manager. Download the full letter with the budget numbers here: 20130627_coh_budget_consensus
Furniture Company to Create 220 Jobs in Harnett County, N.C.
Raleigh, NC– Governor Pat McCrory and North Carolina Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced today that Rooms To Go will be building a new warehouse, distribution center and retail showroom in Harnett County. The company plans to create 220 new jobs and invest $40 million over the next three years in Dunn. “Rooms To Go knows our state’s support for the furniture industry is second to none,” said Governor McCrory. “It’s always great news when existing companies choose to reinvest and …
China Tobacco International opens N.C. office
RALEIGH – China’s national tobacco company officially announced the opening ofits United States office, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced today. Officials with China Tobacco International informed Troxler of the decision at a meeting Wednesday afternoon, citing his department’s ongoing efforts to bolster trade relations with China with the decision to locate their office in the state. The company also has filed incorporation papers with the N.C. Department of the Secretary of State. “We checked different policies in different states, and …
Butterfield Cheers Confirmation of Anthony Foxx as Transportation Secretary
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement regarding the confirmation of Anthony Foxx as the third African American U.S. Secretary of Transportation, 17th overall: “I applaud the U.S. Senate’s swift action in confirming former Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx to lead the United States Department of Transportation as its 17th secretary. President Obama has selected a very capable public servant to lead the department and the nation in this capacity. Then-Mayor Foxx’s work to improve …
Butterfield Urges Full Funding of FCT Program to Increase Air Safety
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee leaders urging the panel to fully fund the Federal Contract Tower (FCT) program under the Fiscal Year 2014 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill. The FCT program staffs air traffic control towers with contractors instead of Federal Aviation Administration employees, which help to manage air traffic control and increase air safety. Butterfield additionally emphasized the program’s contribution to the local economies and …
Butterfield to Hold Open House of New District Office in Durham, Tuesday
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01)today announced his office will host the official grand opening of its new Durham office on Tuesday, July 2, 2013, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The Open House will provide Durham residents an opportunity to meet and visit with Congressman Butterfield and his entire Congressional staff. Invited guests include state and local officials and community leaders. Butterfield became the congressional representative of the city of Durham in January as a result of redistricting. …
Friday / Weekend Open Line
One of the joys of summer — a trip to the ice cream store for several dips of your favorite flavor — goes back to this month in 1786, when Hall’s Ice Cream Store opened on Chatham Street in New York City. But the supply was limited. In 1851, Baltimore milk dealer Jacob Fussell decided to make ice cream commercially. He built larger versions of the hand-cranked machines still popular today for backyard picnics. However, ice cream didn’t become a …
Vance County Board of Commissioners Meeting July 1st, 2013
The Vance County Board of Commissioners will hold a Meeting July 1st, 2013. Download the agenda packet here: 20130701_vcboc_agenda_packet
Farmers should take caution before burning crop residue
RALEIGH – The wet, cool spring caused delayed harvest of winter wheat and other grains, and now farmers may be looking to burn off crop residue to be able to switch crops more quickly. However, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler says that farmers should review open burning rules before burning off crop residue to ensure they stay in compliance with state air quality rules. “As we get into warmer, more humid days, farmers will especially need to be aware of air …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of June 27 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, be amazed at the “Dinosaurs in Motion” exhibit at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh. Lose yourself in one of the dramas presented by the Snow Camp Outdoor Theatre in Snow Camp. Step back in time at Historic Rosedale Plantation in Charlotte. Enjoy a tour of Sunset Beach. And relax at the Bed & Breakfast on Tiffany Hill in Mills River. (Please note: listings are subject to …
Fort Fisher taking Civil War history to new heights with tour
Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach is taking Civil War history to new heights. Beginning July 2, the site will offer “Above the Scenes,” a special 45-minute walking tour from the floor of the fort to the top of the traverses, along an area normally closed to pedestrians. “This new tour will afford the visitor a different perspective from a unique vantage point,” said tour guide and Curator of History Ray Flowers. “We’re very excited about providing this …
Tammy finishes N.C. filming
This week marked the end of a two-month-long road trip in Southeastern North Carolina for Tammy and stars Susan Sarandon and Melissa McCarthy. The Warner Bros. film, which was written by McCarthy and her husband Ben Falcone – who is directing – follows its title character (McCarthy) and her sassy, boozing grandmother (Sarandon) as they set off from Murphysboro, Ill., on a trip across the Midwest. Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Burgaw, Boiling Spring Lakes and Whiteville stood in for locations in …
Blind hiker draws attention to Mountains-to-Sea Trail
Led by his guide dog, Tennille, and cheered by well-wishers, Trevor Thomas of Charlotte finished his extraordinary cross-state trek on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail last Saturday at Jockey’s Ridge, becoming the first blind person to hike the 950-mile trail. Hundreds followed his trek via Thomas’ Facebook page and several media outlets reported his latest accomplishment. Thomas hiked the 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail in 2008 by himself and the 2,654-mile Pacific Crest Trail with friends in 2010. Unlike the Appalachian Trail, a well-defined …
July 4th Inspires Travel Across North Carolina
RALEIGH, N.C. (June 26, 2013) — Travelers across North Carolina can find everything under the summer sun for July 4th day trips, four-day weekends and full vacations. Eye-popping fireworks and colorful events tap Independence Day spirit amid fresh mountain air, balmy sea breezes and urban cool. “The nation’s birthday absolutely calls for celebration,” said Wit Tuttell, Director of Marketing in the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s tourism division. “And North Carolina destinations celebrate in ways that reflect our heritage and …
Carolina SciQuarium opens Saturday in Greensboro
The Carolina SciQuarium, part of the Greensboro Science Center in Greensboro, opens this Saturday. The state’s first inland aquarium and the first AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited aquarium in the United States to be LEED-certified, the 22,000-sq.-ft. aquarium makes the Greensboro Science Center the state’s only aquarium, museum and zoo in one attraction. The $11.5 million project was paid for with bond money and private fundraising, and is just the first project in a $32 million master plan …
AAA: Fewer people likely to pay more for July 4 travel
Tens of millions of Americans plan to travel this Fourth of July, but it may cost them a bit more than last year to get where they’re going. AAA predicted last Thursday that 40.8 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over July 4, traditionally the most traveled holiday of the summer. That’s a 0.8 percent dip from last year but still higher than the 13-year average of 38.9 million Americans who celebrate Independence Day by getting …
Consider soil sampling after grain harvest
RALEIGH — Due to wet weather, small grain harvest is running about a week behind schedule. Although growers are anxious to get full-season crops planted, it may be worth their while to take time to collect soil samples directly following harvest. The rains that have delayed harvest may have also washed essential nutrients from the root zone, especially on sandy soils. Dr. David Hardy, Soil Testing Section chief with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, urges growers in …
White House: The Supreme Court Strikes Down the Defense of Marriage Act
The Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act. In a statement released shortly after the Court’s ruling was announced, President Obama applauded the decision. This was discrimination enshrined in law. It treated loving, committed gay and lesbian couples as a separate and lesser class of people. The Supreme Court has righted that wrong, and our country is better off for it. We are a people who declared that we are all created equal – and the love we …
Thursday Open Line
One of the perennial pests of summer is mosquitoes. While most people think of them as inconvenient, there is a deadly side to these flying insects, in the form of West Nile Virus and malaria. That’s why this is National Mosquito Control Awareness Week, to honor those working to eradicate the menace. Worldwide, malaria has been historically one of the deadliest killers. Recent figures show 219 million cases and 655,000 deaths globally in a year. In the U.S., there are …
Approved Vance County 2013-2014 Fiscal Year Budget
A reader smuggled this document to us after approval from the board meeting last night that approved this budget. Download the budget here: 2013 – 2014 FY Budget Vance County NC