US debt shot up $238 billion to reach 100 percent of gross domestic project after the government’s debt ceiling was lifted, Treasury figures showed Wednesday. The last time US debt topped the size of its annual economy was in 1947 just after World War II. By 1981 it had fallen to 32.5 percent. Ratings agencies have warned the country to reduce its debt-to-GDP ratio quickly or facing losing its coveted AAA debt rating. Moody’s said Tuesday that the government needed …
VGCC earns high marks in annual N.C. Community Colleges report card
Vance-Granville Community College continued to excel by a variety of measures during the 2009-2010 academic year, according to this year’s Critical Success Factors report, which was recently released by the N.C. Community College System office. VGCC’s scores equaled or surpassed seven out of the eight state standards. Dr. Randy Parker, the president of VGCC, informed the college’s Board of Trustees of the report’s findings at the July 18 Board meeting. “This year’s report reflects well on our hard-working students, faculty …
Wednesday Open Line
So the big news is confirmation that our county can continue to borrow more money to pay our interest charges. The debt ceiling was successfully increased, Obama has signed it into motion. Now, after it’s confirmed, people can start to analyze what will actually happen. First, there are no tax increases. An issue that republicans insisted could not happen, and an issue democrats insisted needed to happen. There are immediate cuts in discretionary spending allowances to the tune of 917 …
Letter to the Editor – County Commissioner Meeting August 1st, 2011
The following letter was submitted to us this morning by reader Michael Bobbitt in regards to last nights Vance County Commissioner Meeting: The following a summary of my personal notes of the Vance County Commissioners August 1, 2011 meeting from my perch in the peanut gallery. Public Hearings – Rick Seekins read from two prepared statements. The first was the second reading of the Council of Government’s CDBG – Economic Development Grant. The second statement was the first reading of …
VGCC Trustees take oaths, elect officers
The Vance-Granville Community College Board of Trustees held its regular bimonthly meeting on Monday, July 18 at the college’s Henderson campus. Chief District Court Judge Daniel F. Finch administered oaths of office to three members. Ronald R. Alligood was sworn in as the newest member of the Board. Alligood is a retired Director of Butner Public Safety. He recently completed 18 years of service on the Granville County Board of Commissioners, and was appointed by the county commissioners to replace …
Tuesday Open Line
Monday, the house voted for a compromised debt ceiling deal with the senate expected to consider the bill on Tuesday. The bill would raise the debt ceiling by more than $2 trillion and cut federal spending by a similar amount over the next decade. A special congressional committee would be set up to consider entitlement and tax changes. A reminder this coming weekend in North Carolina features a state sales tax holiday. Clothing, footwear, and school supplies of $100 or …
Vance County Board of Commissioners Meeting Monday, August 1st
Monday, August 1st hosts a Vance County Board of Commissioners meeting at 6pm. Public comments must signup by 5:45pm. Topics include a public hearing with speaker Rick Seekins of the Council of Governments regarding an Economic Development Grant and the NC tomorrow project. Committee Reports and Recommendations from the Human Resources and Planning and Environmental committee’s including the county water project, and land use planning. County Managers Report includes capital outlay for schools, surplus property, bearpond VFD rent proposal, Proclamation …
President Obama Announces New Fuel Economy Standards
President Obama today announced the next phase in the Administration’s program to increase fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas pollution for all new cars and trucks sold in the United States. These new standards will cover cars and light trucks for Model Years 2017-2025, requiring performance equivalent to 54.5 mpg in 2025 while reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 163 grams per mile. Taken together, the standards established under this Administration span Model Years 2011 to 2025. They will save consumers …
VGCC Warren Campus to host Basic Skills Open House
Warren County area residents are invited to learn more about Vance-Granville Community College’s basic skills/literacy classes at an Open House on Saturday, Aug. 6. The event will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on VGCC’s Warren County Campus, located at 210 West Ridgeway Street in Warrenton. According to Glenn D. Alston, the coordinator/instructor for the basic skills lab at Warren Campus, the open house will offer opportunities for residents to find out about the available programs and what …
Monday Open Line
Contrasting hot Saturday and a cooler Sunday this weekend likened to the swaying of debt talks that are still not finalized, but both sides are continuing to work on various plans as a solution for the August 2nd deadline. President Obama urges both Republicans and Democrats to take action to avoid defaulting for the first time in our nation’s history in the weekly address below: A reminder this afternoon the Henderson Family YMCA hosts a local author book signing from …
Assistance Requested in Identifying Photo’s
Members of the Henderson Police Department General Crimes Unit are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying individuals in the photographs provided. It is believed that the individuals in these photographs may be involved in the May 26, 2011 breaking and entering into the New Dixie Mart, 1201 Dabney Drive in Henderson. During the breaking and entering the suspect(s) took numerous lottery tickets from the business. The individuals then attempted to cash these tickets at area businesses. The Henderson Police …
Vance County Unemployment Rate Increased to 14.1% in June
The latest unemployment numbers for Vance County was just released, showing an unemployment rate of 14.1% with 2,771 people unemployed. May’s Vance County numbers were 13.3% unemployment rate with 2,638 people unemployed. This makes Vance County the 5th highest unemployment county in North Carolina, with Scotland, Edgecomb, Rutherford and Graham counties the other 4 highest rates in the state. Warren County falls just behind Vance with the #6th highest unemployment at a 13.6% unemployment rate. The top 5 Counties in …
Free Medical Clinic This Weekend in Wake Forest
Free Medical Clinic Friday & Saturday Richland Creek Church is having a free medical clinic. It is today and tomorrow (July 29 & 30) from 7:30 AM TO 3:30 PM. DOCTOR—DENTIST—CHIROPRACTOR—EYE DOCTOR Spread the word! There are many who are out of jobs and with no insurance that could richly benefit from this event. Richland Creek Church is located at 3229 Burlington Mills Rd. Wake Forest, NC 27587 Phone: 919-556-9292
VGCC students compete at national Phi Beta Lambda conference
Members of the Vance-Granville Community College “Chi Beta Chi” chapter of the Phi Beta Lambda business student organization recently attended PBL’s 2011 National Leadership Conference. Students from universities and colleges across the country participated in various competitions and attended workshops at the conference, held June 23-26 in Orlando, Florida. For the second consecutive year, the VGCC chapter was recognized with a First-Place trophy for having the most Professional Division members (established business professionals and educators) of any local chapter in …
Henderson Wants More Local Contractors On The Job
Reporter – Leigh Hester The City of Henderson has instituted new bidding policies in hopes of keeping local contractors better informed of upcoming projects. Although in the past the city has followed North Carolina guidelines, city council members have expressed concerns about notification procedures for bidding upcoming projects. Specifically, the council was concerned with advertisement guidelines for the projects and whether or not local contractors have a way to know when city projects are up for grabs. In response to …
Friday / Weekend Open Line
I would tell you to go outside and have fun this weekend, but at possible 104 degrees temperature, I’m just not. If you don’t have ac, take a visit to your local establishments, visit our businesses, restaurants, theater etc to get cool. Visit your neighborhood pool, or head to the YMCA or Aycock Recreation Center for a pool dip. Just a few days left, and apparently those in charge are no closer to securing the debt limit question in Washington. …
SECU Members Provide $1 Million Challenge Grant for N.C. 4-H Learning Center
RALEIGH, N.C., July 28, 2011 – State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) members via the SECU Foundation are pleased to announce the presentation of a $1 million challenge grant for a new North Carolina 4-H Learning and Education Center. The 8,400 square foot facility, to be named the SECU 4-H Learning Center, will be located in Richmond County, serving as an outstanding educational destination for all North Carolinians, including school groups, 4-H members and families, and the general public. With nearly …
VGCC Names New Nursing Director
A Vance-Granville Community College faculty member has been promoted to lead the college’s Nursing programs. Erica L. Jastrow recently became VGCC’s Director of Nursing after having been an instructor for the college’s Associate Degree Nursing program since August 2004. In addition to the ADN program, Jastrow will oversee the Practical Nursing program and the LPN to ADN Completion Program, a relatively new option which helps Licensed Practical Nurses return to school and prepare to become Registered Nurses. Jastrow lives in …
Henderson Middle School Sixth-Grade Orientation
Henderson Middle School administrators and faculty members will be conducting their Sixth-Grade Academy orientation sessions on Monday, August 8, and Tuesday, August 9, at the school. Students will attend the August 8 session from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the school’s auditorium. The session on August 9, will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. for parents only also in the auditorium. During the sessions, students and parents will have an opportunity to meet sixth-grade teachers, tour the …
Thursday Open Line
The latest discussion all around the country, and here on our site lately focuses on this debt ceiling deal, and where has that debt come from. Late Wednesday, the White House released the following message: Good evening, Chances are you’ve caught bits and pieces of the debate over our debt and deficits here in Washington over the past few weeks. It is important to understand what the deficit and debt ceiling debate is all about, so we’ve put together a …