With tax cuts for middle-class families set to expire soon, Republicans in Congress have proposed legislation known as “Plan B” that not only raises taxes on 25 million middle-class families, but cuts taxes for households making more than $1 million each year. We’ve put together a graphic to help explain what’s in the proposed legislation. Check it out: President Obama has put forward a proposal that addresses both taxes and spending and is good for American families, the economy, and …
Friday / Weekend Open Line
Winter arrived this morning at 6:12 a.m., Eastern Standard Time. While some parts of the country already have a blanket of snow, others anxiously hope for a white Christmas. Still others have unhappy memories of recent winters and hope this one turns out to be milder. In the continental U.S., Rogers Pass, Montana holds the record low winter temperature at 70 below zero, followed by Peter’s Sink, Utah, just one degree warmer. The absolute lowest temperature ever recorded in the …
Why the World Didn’t End Yesterday
NASA is so sure the world won’t come to an end on Dec. 21, 2012, they have already released this news item for the day after. Dec. 22, 2012: If you’re reading this story, it means one thing: The World Didn’t End Yesterday. According to media reports of an ancient Maya prophecy, the world was supposed to be destroyed on Dec. 21, 2012. Apparently not. “The whole thing was a misconception from the very beginning,” says Dr. John Carlson, director …
AAA: Christmas, New Year’s travel busiest in 6 years
This Christmas travel season could be the busiest in six years, with AAA predicting that 93.3 million Americans will hit the road. That’s 1.6 percent more than last year and just 400,000 people shy of the 2006 record. More cars will crowd the highways than ever before, largely because finding a seat on a plane at a desirable price has gotten more difficult. AAA says a record 84.4 million people will drive at least 50 miles between Dec. 22 and …
Apparel Manufacturer to Create 170 Jobs in Rowan County
RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue announced today that Gildan Activewear Inc. (“Gildan”), through its yarn-spinning subsidiary, CanAm Yarns LLC (“CanAm”), plans to open a new ring-spinning facility in Salisbury to support its projected growth. Gildan is a marketer and vertically-integrated manufacturer of quality-branded basic family apparel and is rapidly expanding its presence in the U.S. and international markets. The company plans to create approximately 170 jobs over the next two years and invest over $50 million. The project was made …
International Timber Manufacturer to Locate in Halifax County; Create 350 Jobs
RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue announced today that Klausner Lumber Two, a privately-owned softwood timber manufacturer, will establish a state-of-the-art sawmill in Halifax County. The company plans to create 350 jobs over the next three years and invest $110 million. The project was made possible in part by state grants from the Job Development Investment Grant and the One North Carolina Fund. “Creating jobs is my top priority and the fact that globally competitive companies continue to make investments like …
White House: “Words Need to Lead to Action” on Gun Violence
Five days after the tragic shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, President Obama said that he is committed to reducing the epidemic of gun violence that plagues this country every single day. At a press conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, the President announced that Vice President Joe Biden will lead a new initiative that has been tasked with identifying concrete proposals for real reform by January. The Vice President, …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of Dec. 20 on UNC-TV’s “North Carolina Weekend,” step back in time with Christmas at Old Salem in Winston-Salem. Enjoy a romantic getaway at Darlings by the Sea in Kure Beach. Take in a show at White Horse Black Mountain in Black Mountain. Lift a glass at Stonefield Cellars in Stokesdale. And the “House Special” samples the fare at RuckerJohns in Greenville. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) “North Carolina Weekend” is exclusively underwritten by the …
Thursday Open Line
One of the world’s most popular word games appeared for the first time this week in 1913, in the Sunday edition of the New York World. That’s when the first crossword puzzle, created by journalist Arthur Wynne, was printed. His puzzle was diamond shaped and had no black squares. During the 1920s, other newspapers picked up the new pastime, and within a decade, crossword puzzles were a feature of almost every U.S. newspaper and began to assume their now familiar …
VGCC to host Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday Celebration on Jan. 16
Vance-Granville Community College will hold a special program celebrating the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013 at 11 a.m. in the Civic Center on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County. For the fourth year in a row, the program will feature several VGCC students delivering original essays. This year’s essay topic is inspired by a speech Dr. King delivered in Washington, D.C. in 1958, in which he urged his audience, “Make a career of humanity …
NC Cooperative Extension Updates
TOBACCO SHORT COURSEJan 28 through Feb 1. Applications due to the County Ag Agent by Jan 2. BUILDING A SPECIALTY CROP FARM ENTERPRISE SCHOOLPeople who are interested in learning how to properly transition into farming by creating a business plan, as well as learning from current growers, are invited to attend a series of training sessions, sponsored by the Granville County Extension Service. This six-week program will train beginning and transitioning farmers to operate small-scale successful specialty crop farms. A …
Troxler encourages N.C. farmers to take part in 2012 Census of Agriculture
RALEIGH — Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is encouraging North Carolina farmers to “speak up” for their livelihood by taking part in the 2012 Census of Agriculture. Conducted every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, the census is a complete count of all U.S. farms, ranches and the people who operate them. “The census is the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every county in North Carolina,” Troxler said. “It’s a chance for …
VGCC schedules AutoCAD class on Main Campus
Vance-Granville Community College is now registering students for an upcoming class about Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD). The “AutoCAD” course will be held on Wednesday nights, Jan. 23 through May 1, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County. The AutoCAD LT software is used in a variety of professions such as engineering, architecture, manufacturing and even landscaping and interior design. AutoCAD, the world’s number-one-selling two-dimensional drafting and detailing product, can streamline and simplify day-to-day tasks, thanks …
Butterfield on Passing of Wayne County Commissioner Jasper “J.D.” Evans
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement regarding the passing of Commissioner Jasper “J.D.” Evans: “I join with so many others in grieving the loss of an exceptional educator, public servant, and friend. Commissioner J.D. Evans’ dedication to education and the people of Wayne County inspired all who serve. Not only was he devoted to his community, but also to his family and church. I am truly saddened by his passing. My thoughts and …
VGCC offers Physical Therapy Aide training at night
Vance-Granville Community College is currently registering students for Physical Therapy Aide training. The course will be offered Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., Jan. 22 through May 9. Classes will meet in room 5218 of Building 5 on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. Among VGCC’s newest offerings, the Physical Therapy Aide course provides an overview of the profession and covers key aspects of a career in physical therapy, such as physical therapy roles, practice …
Vance-Granville Community Band kicks off holiday season with free concert
The Vance-Granville Community Band presented its fifth annual free Holiday Concert on Thursday, Dec. 6 in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. The band, which is a joint effort between VGCC students and interested citizens, started the evening’s program with music that is fit for any season: a Sousa march, “Sabre and Spurs,” and a medley of classical pieces by Mozart. The remainder of the concert focused on traditional favorites associated with this time of …
Wednesday Open Line
Many of the holiday cards we receive picture either Santa Claus or families gathered around the hearth to enjoy the warmth and color of a fireplace. For much of the nation’s history, every home was heated by multiple fireplaces, and all households had to cut and stack wood for cooking and to keep the house warm. Now, fireplaces are primarily a source of charm and ambiance. Many open wood burning fireplaces have been altered to accept a metal insert, which …
Additional Arrests in Mailbox Damage Cases
Multiple warrants have been sworn for events that occurred on or about the 9th of December 2012. On or about this date, multiple postal boxes were damaged in the vicinity of Oxford Road. The following people have been arrested thus far; Austin Seth Roberson, 16, of 1195 Newton Dairy Road Henderson was charged with three counts of injury to personal property. He received a $800 secured bond. Matthew Lea Reed, 18, of 349 Pinewood Drive Henderson was charged with four …
City of Henderson Sanitation Schedule for Holidays
The City of Henderson Public Services Department Sanitation Division follow the schedule below for holidays during the month of December. Monday, Christmas Eve, December 24, 2012 Garbage collection will follow normal schedule, Brush will be picked up on Wednesday the 26th. No Recycle collection. Tuesday, Christmas Day, December 25, 2012 Garbage collection and Brush will be collected on Wednesday the 26th. No Recycle Collection. Thursday, December 27, 2012 Garbage collection will be collected on Friday. Brush will be collected on …
User-Friendly Design Marks Reinvented 2013 North Carolina Travel Guide
RALEIGH, N.C. (Dec. 17, 2012) — The North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development today unveiled “The Official 2013 North Carolina Travel Guide.” A new photo-centric design and state-of-the-art digital options bring natural, manmade and historic attractions to life in a handbook that’s unique among state travel guidebooks. Two covers are available for the guide, which takes in more than 800 attractions, nearly 4,000 accommodations and travel resources in every county. One cover photo features mountain kayaking in …