A new certificate option that trains information technology professionals will be available at Vance-Granville Community College when the fall semester begins on Aug. 20. Fall registration begins July 23. The Networking Specialist Certificate will be offered as part of the college’s Information Systems Security program. “The Networking Specialist Certificate will prepare you for careers such as network analyst, help desk associate, microcomputer support specialist, and network operator, just to name a few,” said Spring Tucker, VGCC’s head of the Computer …
Vance County Schools – Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program
Eight elementary schools in the Vance County Public School System applied for participation in the federal Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program and all were approved to be a part of the program for the 2012-2013 school year. The schools will receive grant funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to their students each school day throughout the year. The USDA has $4 million to fund the program in the schools. The participating schools …
VGCC seeking Student-Athletes
As the 2012-2013 academic year approaches at Vance-Granville Community College, officials at the college are encouraging men and women with an interest in athletic competition to start planning now if they want to join the VGCC Vanguards. A member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), VGCC fields teams in three sports: women’s volleyball, men’s basketball, and golf, which is open to both men and women. This year, the women’s volleyball team will play matches in September and October. …
Paint The Town Purple Contest Winner
I know this is late, but Congratulations to Kerr Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their win of the Relay For Life Paint The Town Contest!
NC Schools Superintendent: Conference Budget Fails North Carolina
The state budget passed by the General Assembly today is one of the most disappointing pieces of legislation I have seen in my 30 years in education. Lawmakers have clearly chosen to put politics before the needs of students and in making that choice, they have let all of North Carolina down. This budget has fundamental problems that will harm public schools and the state’s ability to attract new business and sustain its economy. It includes significant education policies that …
Representative Michael H. Wray’s Raleigh Report
The House and Senate approved a budget Thursday that keeps North Carolina moving backwards. A year after losing 6,000 public school educators – including 3,000 teachers and teacher assistants – this budget leaves schools with $190 million less than they had last year. The total funding reduction for K-12 education over two years will reach $650 million dollars. Financial aid for UNC system students has been cut by $22 million dollars. The budget also continues the attack on women’s health …
Final Budget Released: Cause for Concern for NC Children
The final legislative budget does not prioritize children. The budget puts almost no funding back into public education, letting stand the harsh cuts that were enacted last year. A five percent increase to Health and Human Services is mainly due to increases in Aging and Adult Services and Medicaid. No restorations are made to NC Pre-K and only conditional restoration is made to Smart Start. No restorations are made to tobacco cessation and prevention program funding. Additional cuts are made …
Friday / Weekend Open Line
One of America’s greatest boxers became world heavyweight champion on this day 75 years ago — Joe Louis. The bout took place at Comiskey Park in Chicago, and Louis knocked out James J. Braddock in the eighth round. A year later to the day, he knocked out German champ Max Schmeling in the first round. Louis, an African-American, was nicknamed “the Brown Bomber,” and held his title for 12 years, longer than any other heavyweight champion. He defended his title …
Michael Bobbitt: Notes From The Peanut Gallery (June 20, 2012)
I attended the June 20th, 2012 meeting of the City’s Boards and Commissioners meeting. My dyslexia caused me to read the notice as a meeting of the county commissioners and city council. I am glad I did and glad to have attended. This was a committee meeting to review applications and resignations to City boards and commissioners. Mayor O’Geary, Council persons Deake, Kearney, & Peace-Jenkins are the committee members. Ms. McCrackin, the City Clerk, was also in attendance. Although the …
Thursday Open Lines
As of 7:09 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, summer is here. While welcomed by most, it’s a season with mixed blessings. On the one hand, there are trips to the beach and mountains, boating, cookouts, and wearing lighter clothing. On the other, it’s also a time for crowds, insects, higher gas prices — and higher temperatures. The highest thermometer reading ever recorded in the U.S. was 134 degrees Fahrenheit at Greenland Ranch, California on July 10, 1913. Next highest was 128 …
Lady Found In Car at Walmart Identified
A female approximately 30 years of age was found deceased in a vehicle in the Wal-Mart parking lot, 200 N Cooper Drive, at approximately 5:27 PM on June 18, 2012. Determination of cause of death is pending an autopsy. Members of the Henderson Police Department Criminal Investigations Division are conducting a death investigation. Tuesday, it was announced the Female found deceased is Heather Scott, 38, of West Virginia. At this time there is no reason to suspect foul play, but …
City of Henderson Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting Today
The Boards And Commissions Committee Of The Henderson City Council Will Meet On Wednesday, June 20 At 4:00 P.m. The Purpose Of The Meeting, Among Other Items, Is To Consider Applications For The Following Committees: E-911Board Of AdjustmentAppearance CommissionRedevelopment CommissionHuman RelationsParks And Recreation The Public Is Welcome To Attend
NC Schools State Superintendent June Atkinson regarding Scholarship Funding Corporate Tax Credit
North Carolina will take a large step backwards in public school progress if the General Assembly approves HB 1104, Scholarship Funding Corporate Tax Credit. This bill would provide tax credits to corporations if they make donations to fund scholarships for school-age children to attend private schools. As a result, North Carolina loses revenue needed to support public schools. These funds will be used to pay tuition at private schools that do not meet any public accountability standards, and we miss …
Butterfield Applauds Havelock’s Receipt of Two EPA Brownfield Grants
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for awarding two brownfield grants to the city of Havelock. The grants, valued at $200,000 each, will be used for environmental site assessments, community outreach activities, and to support cleanup planning. “The testing and cleanup of brownfield sites allow for the expansion, redevelopment, and reuse of these lands, which can potentially benefit local economies,” said Butterfield. “I thank the EPA for assisting the city …
Area Development honors N.C. with Silver Shovel economic development award
After receiving the accolade in 2009 and 2011, North Carolina was again recognized with Area Development‘s 2012 Silver Shovel award. The economic development resource highlighted the state’s manufacturing industry, noting the impact it will have on expected economic growth in 2012. Twenty percent of the state’s annual GDP is generated through manufacturing, which crosses a diverse set of industries in North Carolina, including aerospace, automotive, biotechnology, green energy and heavy equipment. In addition, the state was also recognized for its …
Perdue announces 131 new jobs with GKN Driveline
Governor Bev Perdue announced on June 15 that GKN Driveline, a major manufacturer of automotive driveline components, will expand its presence in Person County. The company plans to create 131 jobs over the next five years and invest $24.1 million. The project was made possible in part by state grants from the Job Development Investment Grant and the One North Carolina Fund award. The N.C. Department of Commerce’s Bernard Torain was the developer on this project. GKN Driveline is a …
NCDOT to study economic impact of I-95 tolls; creates advisory council to help guide process
In response to questions raised regarding the economic impact of tolling I-95 in North Carolina, the N.C. Department of Transportation has begun an economic assessment process and has created an advisory council to help guide this process. The advisory council consists of representatives of major industries who have voiced concerns over the potential of utilizing tolling to add nearly 500 miles of new road lanes to I-95. The advisory council met last month to discuss the process for moving forward. …
United Technologies to create 325 new jobs in Charlotte
Governor Bev Perdue announced on June 13 that United Technologies Corporation, a global leader in the research, development and manufacture of high-technology products, will expand its presence in Charlotte. The company plans to create 325 UTC jobs over the next five years and invest at least $4 million. The project was made possible in part by state grants from the Job Development Investment Grant and the One North Carolina Fund award. The N.C. Department of Commerce’s Rod Forsythe was the …
New partnership to advance biomanufacturing industry in Europe and U.S.
To foster the continued success of the biomanufacturing industry, N.C. State University’s Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center and Strasbourg University’s European Aseptic and Sterile Environment Training Center, developed with Alsace Biovalley, have joined forces to create BTEC International. This new organization will provide biomanufacturing training, education and process services in the U.S. and Europe. Plans call for the enterprise to become a knowledge hub of regulatory affairs expertise pertaining to both the U.S Food and Drug Administration and …
Wednesday Open Line
As of 7:09 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, summer is here. While welcomed by most, it’s a season with mixed blessings. On the one hand, there are trips to the beach and mountains, boating, cookouts, and wearing lighter clothing. On the other, it’s also a time for crowds, insects, higher gas prices — and higher temperatures. The highest thermometer reading ever recorded in the U.S. was 134 degrees Fahrenheit at Greenland Ranch, California on July 10, 1913. Next highest was 128 …