RALEIGH — A new report from the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services State and Federal Market News Service will help farmers track fertilizer and diesel fuel costs — two significant production expenses. The production cost report will be released each Friday. “The data is collected from various dealers to compile a price range and average in order to protect the anonymity of individual dealers,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “With the planting season under way, this information will …
Tour Film Sites From Iron Man 3
Picture this: It’s mid-2012, and downtown Wilmington is like a planetarium, with stars popping up all over the place. Cameras roll at the Wilmington Convention Center, where Julianne Hough is filming a sequence for Safe Haven. Tim Guinee and Elizabeth Mitchell stroll down Front Street for a scene in NBC’s Revolution. At Elijah’s Restaurant on the Cape Fear Riverwalk, Jennifer Aniston gets acquainted with scores of people who’ll work with her on We’re the Millers. Co-star Emma Roberts frequents Folks …
North Carolina Shares the Spotlight With Iron Man 3
RALEIGH, N.C. (May 1, 2013)— With Friday’s arrival of Iron Man 3 as summer’s first must-see movie, North Carolina becomes summer’s must-see state. Filmmakers transformed coastal Wilmington, small-town Rose Hill and suburban Cary into California, Tennessee, Florida and even Afghanistan in the high-tech adventure, which opened overseas to rave reviews and record-smashing box office receipts. And as the movie was being shot, the stars found their way to first-rate restaurants and other attractions that boost the state’s appeal. To help travelers …
State Board member to speak at VGCC Graduation
Dr. Tom Houlihan of Oxford, a member of the State Board of Community Colleges, will be the principal commencement speaker for Vance-Granville Community College’s graduation exercises on Friday, May 10. Felicia Sanders-Gupton of Warrenton, a College Transfer student and president of the VGCC Student Government Association, will be the student speaker. Almost 500 students are scheduled to receive their degrees and diplomas in curriculum programs during ceremonies beginning at 6 p.m. at the gazebo by the lake on the college’s …
Traveling dinosaur promotes N.C. Zoo
Deinonychus is a moving, snarling, animatronic dinosaur that will travel the Piedmont, safely contained in the bed of a Chevrolet pickup, in the coming months to promote the N.C. Zoo’s highly popular Dinosaurs exhibit. Nearly 240,000 people, representing more than 35 percent of zoo visitors, toured the zoo’s first “Dinosaurs” exhibit in 2012. Now a whole new cast of 15 creatures has been chosen for the 2013 Dinosaurs experience that are bigger, bolder and better. Among the featured species this …
Butterfield Lauds Nomination of Lawmaker and Friend, Mel Watt
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement regarding the nomination of veteran lawmaker Congressman Mel Watt as the new Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency: “Congressman Mel Watt has proudly represented the people of Charlotte, North Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives for more than twenty years. He has been an outspoken leader on both the House Financial Services and the House Judiciary Committees where he has worked tirelessly to stop predatory …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of May 2 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, rediscover timeless music classics at the N.C. Music Hall of Fame in Kannapolis. Rev your engines during the Timeless Cruizers Car Show in Efland. Enjoy a stroll through NoDa, Charlotte’s historic arts district. Try your luck fishing along the Pamlico in Beaufort. And sample the fare at Dajio Restaurant in Ocracoke. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by the N.C. Division of Tourism. …
Thursday Open Line
One of the most influential motion pictures ever made was released this week 72 years ago –“Citizen Kane,” starring and directed by Orson Welles. He was already renowned for his 1938 Halloween radio broadcast of “War of the Worlds,” when he was just 23 years old. But his lasting legacy is “Citizen Kane,” which did not do well financially, although it was nominated for nine Academy Awards, winning for best screen play. Many critics now consider it the best American …
VGCC Students inducted into Honor Society
Vance-Granville Community College recognized 77 students who were inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for students of two-year colleges, on April 16 in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus. VGCC students honored with induction into Phi Theta Kappa must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.5 (3.75 for part-time students) in associate degree curriculum programs and have completed at least 12 credit hours toward their degrees. As advisors for VGCC’s PTK chapter, Health Sciences …
Workforce Solutions grant receives top national designation
This past March, the N.C. State Energy Sector Partnership training grant, in the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions, was named one of the highest performing High Growth and Emerging Industry grantees from across the nation. This designation is the result of participant performance, program innovation, systemic change and the sustainability of training programs created to meet local employer needs. To date, 1,074 individuals in the state have received industry-recognized credentials and 810 individuals have been verified to …
MPAA report shows Iron Man 3’s financial impact on N.C.
U.S. box office returns for Iron Man 3 won’t be in until this weekend, but a new analysis released today (April 30) shows the film’s financial impact on North Carolina’s economy was significant. According to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the movie, which filmed in North Carolina between December 2011 and December 2012, resulted in $179.8 million in spending and 2,043 jobs in the state. Spending associated with the film involved more than 700 vendors in 84 communities …
State Farmers Market hosts dessert contest for Strawberry Day Thursday, May 2
RALEIGH — N.C. strawberries are already making appearances at grocery stores, farmers markets and roadside stands to the delight of strawberry lovers. More local berries are expected as the season hits full stride. Overall, the crop is expected to be on par with recent years. The State Farmers Market will celebrate strawberry season with its annual Strawberry Day, Thursday, May 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors can enjoy free samples of strawberry ice cream, take their photo with …
VGCC and FVW Opportunity to hold Women’s Business Luncheon/Expo
Franklin-Vance-Warren Opportunity, Inc.’s Women’s Economic Equity Council and the Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center are partnering to host an event that will salute women in business. “Success Becomes Her,” a luncheon and expo presented by BB&T, is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22 from noon until 2 p.m. in the Civic Center on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County. The doors will open at 11 a.m. The luncheon program will feature a motivational keynote speech by Jennifer Faulkner, a professional …
Wednesday Open Line
Construction began on this date in 1884 in Chicago for a radical new building design — destined to be America’s first skyscraper. It was the Home Insurance Company headquarters, designed by engineer William Jenney. Jenney’s building used a metal frame for support, with the exterior walls hung like curtains on the frame. Previously, thick outer walls supported buildings, limiting the height that could be safely reached. Soon, skyscrapers using Jenney’s method thrust up across the country and today dominate city …
Henderson Collegiate Seeking Silent Auction Items for Provide for the Pride Dinner
Henderson Collegiate is seeking silent auction items. On Thursday, May 16th, the school will be having its first-ever fundraising event, the Provide for the Pride Dinner. The Dinner will kick off with a silent auction, and then move into a dinner program that will create the opportunity for guests to partner with Henderson Collegiate and to support the school’s mission. If you are able to contribute items, gift cards, or funds to Henderson Collegiate, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, please contact the …
Butterfield Grieves Passing of Former Teacher, Commissioner and Business Leader
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement expressing his condolences on the passing of Josephine Farmer Edwards: “Today, I join countless others in mourning the loss of former teacher and Wilson County Commissioner Josephine Farmer Edwards. Mrs. Edwards leaves a legacy of excellence and humility. As her former pupil, Mrs. Edwards’ love of education was ever present in the classroom. As a fellow public servant, I witnessed Mrs. Edwards faithfully serve Wilson County with …
US Department of Labor announces availability of nearly $26 million in grants to help juvenile offenders gain the skills necessary to enter the workforce
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $26 million in grants to improve the long-term labor market prospects of youth involved in the juvenile justice system. The “Face Forward” grants are designed to give youth a chance at success by offering support services, training and skills development that can help them obtain employment and overcome the stigma of a juvenile record. “Part of the American spirit is a belief in second chances, especially when …
N.C. Senate, House face off in milk-chugging contest today
Members of the North Carolina General Assembly will compete in a milk-chugging contest to raise awareness of the state’s dairy industry. During the contest, teams of three will race to see which team can finish six pints of milk in the fastest time. Following the contest, attendees will be able to enjoy free ice cream. Tuesday, April 30Noon (time may be adjusted due to session schedule)North Portico of Legislative Building Competing for the House All Stars are Reps. William Brisson, Jonathan …
NC Schools State Superintendent Launches “Give Five – Read Five” Campaign
State Superintendent June Atkinson wants every elementary school student in the state to begin summer vacation with at least five new books to read, and today she launched a statewide initiative to make that happen. Speaking during a press conference at Hilburn Academy, Atkinson challenged parents, business leaders and community members to donate five new or gently-used books to their local elementary school during the month of May. “Too many students lose valuable literacy skills because they stop reading during …
Butterfield’s Statement on Anthony Foxx Nomination for Transportation Secretary
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement regarding the nomination of Mayor Anthony Foxx as the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation: “I am very pleased by the President’s decision to nominate Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx as the new Transportation Secretary. Mayor Foxx is the best choice given his experience and his work to improve Charlotte’s transit infrastructure, something tens of thousands of visitors experienced firsthand during the 2012 Democratic Convention. He …