The N.C. Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) recently received a three-year, $3.64 million grant award from the U.S. Department of Education (USED) to design, develop and implement a statewide, P-20 longitudinal data system. NC P-20W (preschool [P] through higher education [grade 20] through workforce [W]), the state’s longitudinal data system, will enable education leaders at all points along the NC education-workforce continuum to access a “big picture” view of trends in student performance to help better prepare graduates for a …
Tuesday Open Line
One of the most versatile cowboys of the Old West was born on this date in 1906 in Utah. In his 89 years, Earl Bascom won just about every award a cowboy could win and invented the side delivery rodeo chute, the first hornless bronc saddle, and the first one-handed bareback rigging. He also produced the first rodeo performed at night under electric lights. After his active riding career, Bascom became an internationally known western artist and sculptor. In the …
Local NC Cooperative Extension Updates
WEEKLY GARDEN TO-DO LIST (FROM THE HOME & GARDEN SHOW on WIZS, with Wayne Rowland & Paul McKenzie)1. You can still plant squash, tomatoes, snapbeans, lima beans. 2. Don’t panic over leaf spots on trees and shrubs. They are normally a cosmetic problem. 3. For best results, harvest vegetables daily. Pick them when they are tender and flavorful! 4. Watch for thrips on roses and other flowers, which cause misshapen buds and flowers 5. Riding lawn mowers are made …
GKN Driveline to strengthen customer base by investing in North Carolina
RALEIGH—Gov. Bev Perdue announced today 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. GKN Driveline media image. “Creating jobs is my No. 1 priority,” Gov. Perdue said. “One of the best ways …
Vance County HR Committee Meets Today
Please be informed that the County’s HR Committee is scheduled to meet Monday, June 18 at 12:00 noon to discuss a personnel matter(s). The meeting will be in the County Manager’s Office.
Representative Michael H. Wray’s Raleigh Report
The General Assembly considered bills this week that weaken protections against racial bias in our courts and that open up North Carolina to a controversial form of energy exploration. We also learned more about the Senate’s budget plan for our state. The plan is particularly harmful for education, even more so than the House proposal in many ways. It cuts $250 million more from the public schools, eliminates the Teaching Fellows program and cuts deeper into funding for the community …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers Newsletter
We learned this week that American families are poorer today than they were 23 years ago and 40% poorer than in 2007. The drop in American families’ wealth and news this week about a drop in retail sales is more evidence that middle class Americans and Main Street businesses are still struggling. Republicans in the House will continue to focus on legislation that cuts regulations and spending and promotes job creation. You can track the progress of jobs legislation on …
White House: Ending the Stalemate in Washington
Weekly Address: Ending the Stalemate in Washington. President Obama tells the American people that the stalemate in Washington is holding our economy back during this make-or-break moment for the middle class. Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that’s happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President welcomed the Girl Scouts, the Presidents of the Philippines and of Israel, the New York Giants, local tv anchors from around the country, and Betty White. He also kicked off …
President Obama on Immigration Announcement
Friday afternoon, President Obama discussed a new Department of Homeland Security policy that will allow certain young people who were brought to the United States as young children, and do not present a risk to national security or public safety, and meet several key criteria to be considered for relief from removal from the country or from entering into removal proceedings.
Monday Open Line
The town of Geneva, Illinois is putting the final touches on its biggest yearly event — Swedish Days, starting tomorrow and running through next Sunday. The festival, celebrating Swedish heritage, will offer food, a parade, special activities for children, crafts, and a carnival. It will also feature displays of just about everything Swedish, including Rosemaling, a Scandinavian art form of decorating wood. A quarter of a million people are expected to enjoy the various attractions. In the U.S. today, there …
Spring Street Missionary Baptist Church Hosting Event For World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
June 15 is recognized as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Join us at Spring Street Missionary Baptist Church on June 15th from 8:45am until 1:00pm, and help stop abuse, neglect and exploitation of disabled and elderly adults. Spring Street Missionary Baptist Church is located at 511 Orange Street, Henderson, NC 27536.
Butterfield to Receive NADO Congressional Award for Commitment to Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Office of Congressman G. K. Butterfield today announced that the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) will present Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) with the 2012 Congressional Partnership Award. NADO is recognizing Butterfield’s longstanding commitment to federal programs that support investments in infrastructure, job creation, and economic development. “I am pleased to be recognized by NADO for my commitment to increase development of rural communities,” said Butterfield. “Rural communities, like those you find in North Carolina’s …
Gov. Perdue’s Statement on the Override of House Bill 7
“Today the Republican-led General Assembly secured their place as the most anti-public education legislature in North Carolina history. After cutting school funding and forcing the layoffs of more than 900 teachers and 2,000 teacher assistants, after punishing teachers for daring to oppose education cuts, after pushing a reform plan based on more requirements and less money and after proposing to raid the funds available for public schools in order to shell out a tax cut to corporations that give money …
Ralph Lauren Corporation Selects Guilford County for Major Expansion
RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue announced today that Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL), a leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products, will expand its presence in High Point. The company plans to create 500 jobs over the next five years and invest $97 million. The project was made possible in part by state grants from the Job Development Investment Grant and the One North Carolina Fund award. “My top priority is creating jobs,” said Gov. Perdue, …
Friday / Weekend Open Line
Reminder that Sunday is Fathers Day. From Wikipedia: Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. In recent years, retailers have adapted to the holiday by promoting greeting cards and traditionally male-oriented gifts such as electronics and tools. Schools and other children’s programs commonly have activities to make Father’s Day gifts. More phone calls are made in the United States during Mother’s Day than during Father’s Day, but the percentage of collect calls on Father’s Day is much …
Fatherhood Fun Day, June 23rd
Vance County’s First Community Wide Fatherhood Fun Day will be held Saturday, June 23rd, 2012 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at Fox Pond Park in Henderson, NC. Fathers and father-figures (and moms too!) are invited to bring their kids out for an afternoon of fun and games for ALL ages. Activities include: Basketball, Corn Hole, Fishing, Flag Football, Horseshoes, Obstacle Course, Relay Races, Tennis, and more! Free hot dogs, chips and drinks will be served. Plus, a chance to win great …
Kerr Lake Art Show Winners Named
Entries in the 46th Annual Kerr Lake Art Show, co-sponsored by Vance-Granville Community College and the Kerr Lake Art Society, were judged and put on display for the public on the second floor of Building 7 on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County, June 11-15. This year’s competition saw 27 visual artists from throughout the region submit a total of 71 works in a variety of two-dimensional media, according to Lelia Brigham of Henderson, the Kerr Lake Art Society’s …
Las Vegas-style card games expected to debut at Cherokee casino
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in Cherokee expects to offer live games like blackjack, roulette and poker starting July 4 after state lawmakers approved legislation legalizing Las Vegas-style games on tribal lands. Gov. Bev Perdue signed the bill minutes after the Senate gave it final approval last week, touting gaming as a financial boon for economically depressed areas in western North Carolina. The legislation enables a new 30-year gaming compact between the state and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians that …
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. Advisory council members include Rolf Blizzard, N.C. Travel and Tourism Coalition; Jake Cashion, …
‘North Carolina Weekend’
For the week of June 14 on UNC-TV’s “North Carolina Weekend,” take a look at the 7th Street Public Market in Charlotte and the American Dance Festival in Durham. See what’s in store at the NC Blueberry Festival in Burgaw. Plan a tasting at Hamptonville’s Laurel Gray Vineyards and follow Bob Garner to Lulu’s Dine and Wine in Charlotte. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) “North Carolina Weekend” is exclusively underwritten by the N.C. Division of Tourism. In addition, …