Gov. Pat McCrory has declared a state of emergency for N.C. 12 in Dare County that will help the N.C. Dept. of Transportation move ahead with a short-term solution to protect the critical coastal highway from frequent ocean overwash caused by high winds and strong surf. A series of storms, including Hurricane Sandy last fall, resulted in severe beach erosion along N.C. 12 at the S-Curves. NCDOT has already executed an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to …
NCDOT invites public comments on first draft of Walk Bike NC Plan
The N.C. Dept. of Transportation has released the first draft of the Walk Bike NC statewide pedestrian and bicycle plan, which will guide future investments to walking and bicycling in North Carolina. The public is invited to review the plan online and submit comments until April 30. The plan was prepared through a unique partnership between NCDOT, the state departments of Natural Resources, Commerce and Health and Human Services, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, the Federal Highways …
Welcome Centers plan activities for National Tourism Week May 4-12
The first full week of May, May 4-May 12 this year, is annually recognized as National Travel and Tourism Week, a tradition first celebrated in 1984 as cities, states and travel businesses nationwide hold localized events to champion the power of travel. The U.S. Travel Association’s new advocacy and awareness campaign – Travel Effect – is the theme the 2013 celebration. North Carolina’s nine Welcome Centers celebrate National Travel and Tourism week by inviting travel partners to help thank North …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of March 21 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, take in the Art in Clay exhibit at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh. Step back in time at the D.E. Turner Hardware store in Mooresville. Whet your appetite at Caprice Bistro in Wilmington. Enjoy the great outdoors at the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge in Wadesboro. And enjoy art in a different light during Art in the Evening at the N.C. Museum of Art in Raleigh. (Please …
Fox TV pilot to film in Salisbury
The villain from “Sleepy Hollow” will haunt Salisbury and ride through parts of downtown as early as next week when crews descend on the city to film the pilot for 20th Century Fox’s new supernatural thriller. Confirmed filming locations include St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and the Confederate Monument, with several other spots under consideration. Salisbury’s getting another taste of 20th Century Fox’s love affair with North Carolina. The studio’s hit show “Homeland,” filmed in Charlotte, shot several scenes here last …
Lumber Producer to Create 40 Jobs in Weldon, N.C.
RALEIGH – Governor Pat McCrory and N.C. Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced that Meherrin River Forest Products, a lumber processor, will locate its operations in Halifax County. The company plans to create 40 jobs and invest more than $1.8 million over the next three years in Weldon. “Our state has abundant natural resources and this project is a great opportunity for us to use those assets to create jobs,” said Governor McCrory. “We welcome Meherrin River Forest Products to Halifax …
The Ultimate Life ends production in the Triad
It’s a wrap for the Triad’s latest starring role. The Ultimate Life finished production Tuesday, with the Manor House bed and breakfast in Tanglewood Park filling in for a 1960s hotel. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release in September. Winston-Salem has featured prominently in the production, with filming locations including the Chamber of Commerce, a corporate boardroom in Winston Tower and Brookstown Avenue, which was transformed into a 1960s street scene complete with vintage cars. For The Ultimate …
The Short Game wins best doc feature at SXSW
The Short Game, a documentary filmed in Pinehurst and several other locations around the world, won the Documentary Feature competition during last week’s SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. The film profiles eight seven-year-olds who aren’t just prodigies; they’re entertaining characters in their own right, some of whom just might wind up on the pro tour in a decade or so. The documentary follows the players as they prepare for the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship, held in Pinehurst in August. …
Statement by NC Schools State Superintendent June Atkinson Regarding Governor’s Budget
Governor McCrory faced many economic challenges in developing a budget in the political and economic climate today. The needs of public education are great and well documented, including the need for increased teacher pay and digital and technology tools for teachers and students not to mention the need for textbooks, supplies and basic support for school operations to enable teachers to focus on their most important task – instruction. In the budget presented today, the Governor tried to focus resources …
Grove Park Inn getting $25 million facelift
The Grove Park Inn, the grand dame of mountain hotels in Asheville, is in the midst of a $25 million makeover that aims to turn the clock back on her look. “The new owners are on the right track toward walking that thin, delicate line between historic preservation and providing guests with modern conveniences that all dovetail neatly together,” said Bruce Johnson, director of the annual National Arts and Crafts Conference at the Grove Park Inn. “They’re sensitive to the …
Concord aquarium construction to start in July
Construction begins in July on a $10 million Sea Life aquarium that will open in spring 2014 at Concord Mills in Concord. The aquarium is expected to draw as many as 350,000 additional visitors to the area each year. Concord Mills already reports 17 million to 18 million visits per year. Initial plans call for more than 30 displays of diverse marine life – everything from shrimp and starfish to seahorses, sharks and rays. In keeping with other Sea Life …
Thursday Open Line
Today marks the birthday in 1910 of one of the major figures of the American wine industry — Julio Gallo. When Prohibition ended, he and his brother Ernest started making wine in humble surroundings — a rented California warehouse, with equipment bought on credit. Over years of hard work saw their winery became the largest in the U.S., and their creative marketing techniques helped shape the nation’s drinking tastes. Now, the Gallo establishment is joined by some 1,950 other wineries …
Guardian ad Litem Program Announces 11 new Advocates
As the district administrator for the Guardian ad Litem Program of Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin Counties, I am pleased to announce that 11 citizens have completed training and taken their oaths to be Guardian ad Litem advocates. Along with a GAL attorney, these individuals will serve children who are victims of abuse or neglect to assure that their best interest interests are protected in court and that they are in safe, permanent homes as soon as possible. New classes …
Afternoon with the Author – Sunday March 24th
Afternoon with the Author @ Perry Memorial Library, March 24 2013 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Dr. William “Bill” Price will talk about his book Nathaniel Macon of North Carolina: Three Views of His Character and Creed. Dr. Price will sign copies of his works after his presentation. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Perry Memorial Library.
VGCC nominates student for statewide achievement award
Vance-Granville Community College recently nominated Rebecca Fetterhoff of Creedmoor, a student in the college’s Early Childhood Associate program, for the North Carolina Community College System’s Dallas Herring Achievement Award. That award was established by the system in 2010 to honor the late Dr. Dallas Herring, the longtime State Board of Education chairman and one of the state’s earliest advocates of community colleges. Each year, the award recognizes a current or former community college student who best embodies Herring’s philosophy of …
Let’s Talk About It – Thursday March 21st
Let’s Talk About It @ Perry Memorial Library Thursday March 21st, 2013 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm The Let’s Talk About It series continues on March 21, 2013 at 7 p.m. in the Farm Bureau Room of the Perry Memorial Library. The book for this program is Brothers and Keepers and the speaker will be Willie Nelms. This project is made possible in part by funding from the North Carolina Humanities Council, a statewide nonprofit and an affiliate of the …
VGCC invites middle schoolers to Science Camp
Vance-Granville Community College will hold its third annual Science Camp for middle school students this summer. The Science Camp will be held June 17-21 on the college’s Main Campus in Henderson. Young people preparing to enter grades six through eight are invited to participate in the week-long camp, which will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Sessions will be taught by faculty members from the VGCC Science Department and other college programs. Campers will learn not only …
Senator Hagan Continues Bipartisan Fight to Restore Tuition Assistance for Servicemembers
Last week, the Army, Marine Corps and Air Force announced they would suspend the Tuition Assistance program for servicemembers – a program that 300,000 of our brave men and women in uniform depend upon to advance their educations. While I recognize that sequestration is forcing the Department of Defense to make tough budget decisions, denying educational opportunities to our servicemembers is the wrong way to find savings. We cannot put the burden of addressing our long-term fiscal challenges on the …
Spring Festivals Shine Across North Carolina
RALEIGH, N.C. (March 19, 2013) — Festive new events are blooming among the azaleas, dogwoods and rhododendron that color North Carolina’s spring landscapes. Joining Merlefest, three steeplechases and other perennial favorites are the inaugural NC Beer Month, the first statewide star party and a grand display of historic vehicles at the first Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance. Here are some of the season’s highlights. Find more reasons to visit at www.VisitNC.com. Biltmore Festival of Flowers March 21- May 19 Asheville The gardens at George …
Animal Welfare Section reimburses counties more than $550,000 for low-cost spay/neuter procedures
RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Animal Welfare Section reimbursed counties more than half a million dollars for spay/neuter procedures for pets belonging to low-income residents in 2012. Overall, 28 counties requested nearly $562,500 in reimbursements for 9,529 surgeries performed. The Animal Welfare Section was able to reimburse $550,235. “The reimbursements are partially funded by fees collected from the Animal Lovers specialty license plate,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, whose retriever, Kate, is fixed. “Fixing cats …