Raleigh, NC – The number of children living in high-poverty communities in North Carolina more than doubled over the past decade, according to a new KIDS COUNT Data Snapshot from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. One in 10 children in North Carolina now lives in high-poverty communities, up from 4 percent in 2000. In Vance County, 54% of children live in poverty. The report uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey to identify areas where at least …
Friday / Weekend Open Line
There are many bird-feeding and bird-watching events this month. One of them is the annual Great Backyard Bird Count — in which ordinary Americans note the kinds and quantity of birds in their immediate area, helping scientists track the health of the bird population. With the foliage off the trees, many will be looking at and photographing birds with cameras and binoculars. It was this month in 1872 that the first state bird sanctuary was established at Oakland, California’s Lake …
Dollie Burwell Campaign Open House & Kickoff
Dollie Burwell, running for NC House District 32 is hosting an Open House and Kickoff event Saturday, February 25th, 2012 from 1pm to 3pm at 420 N. Garnett Street, in Henderson, NC. Food and music will be available. Special guest includes Congressman G.K. Butterfield and other elected officials and community leaders. The event is open to the public, but please call 252-431-0251 to RSVP Visit Dollie’s website at www.dolliefornchouse.com
Representative Michael H. Wray’s Raleigh Report
The General Assembly returned to Raleigh last week for a scheduled three-day session where no votes were taken and no business was conducted other than to call us to order and to adjourn. I attended the session in case any unscheduled business came to the floor and was joined by many of my colleagues. We wanted to be careful following a surprise vote in the House of Representatives last month that resulted in a veto override attacking the North Carolina …
School Districts Asked to Perform Special Inspections in Light of Recent Bus Fire
The NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) School Transportation section has directed all local school system transportation departments to perform special inspections to help prevent a situation similar to the one that appears to have caused the Feb. 8 school bus fire in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school district. Preliminary reviews and inspections of the bus that caught on fire point to the rubbing of the intake heater wire against the metal heater shutoff valve to the point that the wire covering …
VGCC Seminar helps Small Businesses use Social Networking sites
A free seminar offered by Vance-Granville Community College will seek to help local small businesses stay competitive in the changing online world of social networking. The Small Business Center seminar, entitled “Facebook and Social Networking to Enhance Your Business,” will be held from 9 a.m. until noon on Thursday, March 22 in room 7107 of Building 7 on the college’s main campus in Vance County. In the seminar, instructor Martin Brossman of Raleigh will show participants how using popular social …
North Carolina’s Support is a Critical Asset for Global Plastics Company
RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Carolina Precision Plastics LLC, a global plastics manufacturer, will locate a new facility in Davie County. The company plans to create 140 jobs and invest $5.3 million during the next three years in Mocksville. The project was made possible in part by a $250,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund. “Our history of investing in education and workforce training have helped create a business climate that enables companies like Carolina Precision …
AT&T Telecommunications Provider to Locate Data Center in Kings Mountain.
CLEVELAND COUNTY – Gov. Bev Perdue today joined executives from AT&T Inc., the world’s largest communications company, in announcing they will locate an enterprise data center in Kings Mountain, the latest in a long line of investments by the company in North Carolina. Gov. Perdue was joined by, among other company officials, Cynthia Marshall, President of AT&T North Carolina, and other state and local officials for the announcement in Cleveland County. The company plans to create more than 100 full-time jobs …
Thursday Open Line
One of the first chain stores in the U.S. opened its doors on this date (February 22nd) in 1879 in Utica, New York. For generations of Americans, Woolworth’s was known simply as the “five and dime.” Inside were wooden floors and display tables stacked with items that sold for up to a dime. Equally famous was the store’s lunch counter, featuring malted milk shakes. The distinctive red and gold signs were taken down in 1997. Woolworth’s was no longer able …
Elissa Yount: Comments during Water Bill City Council Meeting
Following is a transcript of the comments Elissa Yount made to the City Council during the Public Comments section of Monday night’s meeting: According to the adopted budget for the City of Henderson, the job of the council and mayor is to legislate and set policy. For this we city taxpayers each year pay you over a quarter of a million dollars, $238,590 to be exact. The job of the City Attorney is to prepare ordinances and provide legal counsel. …
VGCC schedules Health Unit Coordinator training course
Vance-Granville Community College is currently registering students for a Health Unit Coordinator course. The program is scheduled to be offered on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6 until 9 p.m., March 19 through July 16. Classes will meet in Building 7 on the college’s main campus in Vance County, with Tonia Starling as the instructor. Students who successfully complete this course will be able to understand medical terminology, process medical records, take a leadership role in a health care environment, …
Public Safety Committe to discuss Animal Control Issues Thursday
Please be informed that the County’s Public Safety Committee is scheduled to meet Thursday, February 23 at 3:30 p.m. in the County Manager’s Office. The purpose is to discuss Animal Control matters.
Felon Arrested with Firearm Possession Charges
On Tuesday February 21, 2012, officers with the Henderson Police Department took Rodriquez Antwon “Vito” Crudup, 25, 707 Champion Street, Henderson into custody. Crudup has been indicted by a federal Grand Jury for two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Crudup was placed in the Vance County Jail without bond pending transfer of custody to the United States Marshall Service.
Wednesday Open Line
We’ve had an active week with 4, count ’em, 4 articles submitted by regular readers. Please take some time to read them and comment on them all. These fellow readers have taken time to write out their thoughts to provoke discussion on important issues. I’ll make it easy for you: Richard Brand: Almost Funny Gary Morgan: Healthcare – Individual Right or Imposition Michael Bobbitt: Notes From the Peanut Gallery – City Council Water Bill Special Meeting Elissa Yount: Mea Culpa …
Elissa Yount: Mea Culpa Does Not Cut It
“We’re so sorry – We made a mistake – I sincerely apologize.” Comments like these were heard from every council member on Monday. These apologizes are too little and too late for those impacted by the Council’s policy on water service. While “I’m sorry” is nice, the stress and emotional upheaval, the financial burden and aggravation, the confusion and frustration that many taxpayers endured will long be remembered. Correcting the flawed policy is appropriate, but the policy should never have …
Michael Bobbitt: Notes From the Peanut Gallery – City Council Water Bill Special Meeting
Regarding the February 20th, 2012 City Council meeting. Henderson City Council held a Special Called Meeting to correct an ordinance and policy governing certain water fees. I attended this meeting specifically to observe the city’s council in action. I live in the county so I have don’t have a dog in this fight. After some formalities and setting of ground rules for public comments the Mayor opened the floor to those who registered to speak. We heard from eleven speakers. …
Gary Morgan: Healthcare – Individual Right or Imposition
Gary Morgan: Spritual Reflections of an Economic & Political Nature: Healthcare – Individual Right or Imposition Much has been said about the new National Healthcare Law with opinions being fairly well split as to it being an individual right or illegal imposition of government. I would like to weigh in on the subject with (hopefully) less emotional extremism than has been demonstrated in the media. First let’s take a look at a few facts about our current healthcare system. 20 …
Henderson-Vance Community Watch Association Meeting
Henderson-Vance Community Watch Association will have a General Meeting February 23, 2012 at 7:00 pm. The meeting will be in the Maria Parham Medical Center Auditorium 566 Ruin Creek Rd. Guests include Chief Keith Sidwell of the Henderson Police Department and Sheriff Peter White of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office. Please come to Voice & Address Your Concerns, To Reduce Crime in Our Community, To Provide a Safer Neighborhood for you and your family. It’s up to all of us …
The North Carolina Democratic Party Holds Annual Precinct Organizing Meetings Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Vance County, N.C. / Henderson, NC: The North Carolina Democratic Party will hold annual precinct organizing meetings across the state on Tuesday, March 6, 2012. Vance County Democrats will hold ALL of their Precinct meetings at the Vance County Commissioners Meeting room on March 6, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting is free and open to all registered Democrats residing in the precinct. Meeting attendees will be electing delegates to the Vance Count Convention to be held on April 4th, …
Henderson, NC Shoplifters of the Week
Shoplifters of the week by the Henderson Police Department EDWARD MILES, 18, 275 STEWART ROAD HENDERSONDATE: 2/18/2012CHARGE: SHOPLIFTING- Cited and ReleasedLOCATION: WALMARTITEMS: SLIMJIM SNACKS SHAJUAN ERVIN, 18, 1313 AXTEL RIDGEWAY ROAD NORLINADATE: 2/19/2012CHARGE: LARCENY- 300.00 Secured BondLOCATION: WALMARTITEMS: CLOTHES, CANDY, HAT ADRIENNE EDWARDS, 29, 54 N. HAWKINS, AVENUE MIDDLEBURGDATE: 2/9/2012CHARGE: OBTAINING PROPERTY BY FALSE PRETENSE- 2,500.00 Secured BondLOCATION: WALMARTITEMS: DOG FOOD SAMUEL HAWKINS, 53, 368 COLLINS ROAD NORLINADATE: 2/7/2012CHARGE: LARCENY- 1,500.00 Secured BondLOCATION: WALMARTITEMS: TOOLS SHIRLEY BULLOCK, 56, 537 E …