Memories of his childhood have inspired Chris Brockman, an instructor of English at Vance-Granville Community College, to write his first book. Brockman’s memoir, entitled “Growing Up in Boom Times,” was recently published by AuthorHouse. He focuses on his life growing up in Oakland County, Michigan, but Brockman says the book calls up experiences that were typical of the times and shared by nearly all Baby Boomers — the generation referenced in the “Boom” of the title. “Times were simpler, and …
Wednesday Open Line
Troublesome aging water and sewer line repairs in Henderson are expected to cost upwards of $450,00 as reported at the latest city council meeting. That’s just in two trouble spots. I wonder how far the O’Brian and Gere guys have come on analyzing the system overall. Injecting that much money into our local economy will certainly keep some people employed in the area. Let’s hope the 2% raise in rates this year will cover the expenses. In other news, a …
Shirley Drive Residents Experience Continued Water Problems
Reporter – Leigh Hester Over the past three weeks, Shirley Drive residents have been left without water three times. Jerome Levisy, a resident of Shirley Drive for the past four months, stood before the City Council on behalf of himself and his neighbors on Shirley Drive and asked the Council to have the line repaired. “It is difficult having to carry in water for simple things like brushing our teeth or flushing our toilets,” he said, “it is like living …
Spring Street in Need of New Sewer Line
Reporter – Leigh Hester City of Henderson Public Services found during a routine maintenance check that the sewer line along Spring Street between William Street and Garnett street, which handles all of the flow from the Sandy Creek pumping station, has several pressing issues. The ductile iron pipe beneath the railroad crossing on Spring Street has corroded to the point where failure is likely to occur at any time. Additionally, a manhole near the intersection of Spring St and Garnett …
VGCC Franklin Campus Salutes Five Day Care Graduates
Five graduates of the Child Care Center on Vance-Granville Community College’s Franklin County Campus were honored in ceremonies on July 13 as they prepared to leave and enter kindergarten this fall. The class of 2011 included Hollyn Cardwell of Louisburg, William Dement of Louisburg, Dawson Evans of Castalia, Nasir Kearney of Franklinton and Casson Raynor of Louisburg. Bobbie Jo May, the Dean of Franklin Campus, welcomed family members to the child day care center’s thirteenth annual graduation ceremony. She applauded …
Henderson-Vance Night Out Against Crime
Henderson-Vance Night Out Against Crime Henderson Police Department 200 Breckenridge Street August 06, 2011 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Theme: “Henderson-Vance Night out Against Crime & Community Watch Unite 2011” Program: National Anthem by Craig Thorpe – Vance County Sheriff’s Office Invocation by PastorBrenda Peace – Greater Little Zion Church Welcome/Purpose by Chief Keith L. Sidwell – Henderson Police Department and Sheriff Peter White – Vance County Sheriff’s Office Introduction of Speaker by Sgt. Lloyd Watkins – Vance County Sheriff’s …
Railroad Crossings Work In Franklin County Will Cause Temporary Detours
RALEIGH — CSX will be replacing several railroad crossings over state roads in Franklin County over a two-week period, starting on Tuesday, July 26. The crossings will be temporarily closed a minimum of two days each in the following order: Joyner Street, Franklinton Hawkins Street, Franklinton Hicks Road, Franklinton Bert Winston Road, just east of U.S. 1 CSX will detour traffic around the closures. NCDOT reminds motorists to watch signs for information, stay alert and obey the posted speed limit. Citizens …
Tuesday Open Line
Monday Night, Obama held a national tv appearance, followed by comments from Republican House Speaker John Boehner. On Tuesday, White House Administration Officials will hold “Office Hours” on our social networks to answer your questions about the President’s speech and the ongoing deficit debate. Brian Deese, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council and Special Assistant to the President, will be answering your questions on Twitter Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Ask your questions with the hashtag #WHChat and stay tuned for …
Gov. Perdue decries plan to merge colleges
Gov. Bev Perdue this week called upon the General Assembly to reject a proposal that would merge dozens of mostly-rural community college campuses, saying it amounts to an attack on rural North Carolina – and yet another blow to the state’s education system. “Community colleges are important economic drivers for their individual communities,” Gov. Perdue said. “They are crucial partners in growing jobs, especially in rural areas. Local control is essential for addressing local needs, particularly in the areas of …
Senator Richard Burr Message
Last week the Senate voted on a bill that passed the House earlier that week and is commonly referred to as “Cut, Cap, and Balance.” I support this measure and will vote for it when it comes to the floor. This bill would enact serious cuts in federal spending and would set limits on discretionary spending, two very important points to addressing our nation’s debt crisis. Unfortunately, it is also expected that Majority Leader Harry Reid will kill this legislation …
Monday Open Line
This weeks presidential address focuses on a Bipartisan Approach to Strengthening the Economy: A reminder that tonight in the City Council Chambers is a short regular meeting and work session to follow. You may read the agenda details at the previous link. In the meeting the new EDC Director Stuart Litvin will make a presentation. I’d like to point out that on Thursday, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce hosted a Business After Hours session, sponsored by Don Lorenzo’s Mexican …
Henderson City Council Short Regular Meeting and Work Session Monday July 25
Henderson City Council Short Regular Meeting and Work Session Monday, 25 JULY 2011 at 6:00 PM at the City Hall Council Chambers, 134 Rose Ave., Henderson, NC 27536 The Meeting consists of a presentation by new EDC Director Stuart Litvin Afterwards, consideration of the following new business listed as follows: FY 12 Budget Amendment #2, Spring Street Sanitary Sewer Replacement. (CAF 11—95) Closeout of COPS Hiring Grant (2009-RK-WX-0584) Reaffirming the City’s Bidding and Procurement Policy in Accordance with the North Carolina …
This & That
Welcome to the Henderson area This & That, located at 2406 Raleigh Road next door to he former Currin’s Mini Mart. Opened July 21st, This & That has new pocketbooks, and 1200 thread county sheet sets all sizes for only $20.00. They also carry bath sets, curtains, lamps and scented oils and more! Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9am – 5pm. Friday and Saturday 9am – 6pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. Stop by to see Linda Hunter and Brenda …
Friday / Weekend Open Line
If you’re looking for something to do Friday afternoon, head to the RBC Center in Raleigh for a free event. The Fourth Annual Canes Summer Fun Fest, presented by 99.9 FM the Fan, is set for Friday, July 22, at 5:30 p.m. at the RBC Center. The event includes live music, over 10 interactive inflatables and games, sledding on snow, free giveaways, guest speakers from the Hurricanes, appearances by Stormy and the Eye Care Associates Storm Squad, discounted concessions, extended …
Thursday Open Line
Aaron’s has acquired Crusader Rent to Own in a deal covering all 30 of Crusader’s stores in Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. All but one will be converted to Aaron’s HomeSmart brand. The remaining store will be merged with an existing franchisee’s Aaron’s store. HomeSmart is a Houston-based subsidiary of Aaron’s operating in the South and Southwest. It is not yet clear what will happen to Henderson’s store. Henderson locations for both companies include Aaron’s located at …
Shooting Incident Monday July 18th Updated
On July 20, 2011 members of the Henderson Police Department Major Crimes Unit arrested and charged Catherine Denise Dunston, 48, of 670 Foster Road, Henderson with assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill inflicting serious injury in relation to the shooting of David Parham. Ms. Dunston received a $100,000 secured bond pending a court hearing on August 5, 2011. On July 18th, 2011 around 12:28 AM officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to Maria …
Wednesday Open Line
Below are year-to-date metrics tracked by the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Division of Business and Industry that illustrate some of the recent activities of the Division. The metrics include the number of new economic development projects assigned to B&I development staff; the number of economic development project announcements; the number of announced jobs created and capital invested; the number of interactions existing industry staff had with businesses throughout the state; and the number of contacts received by the Business Link …
Solar Cell Company to Open Plant in Vance County, Creating over 250 jobs
Semprius, Inc., a leading innovator in high concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) solar modules, announced today they are to open a new plant in Vance County, NC. Semprius recently secured $20 million in its first tranche of Series C venture fundraising and will use this money to build the Vance County plant near Henderson, NC. State and local governments will also provide $18.3 million dollars towards the venture as incentive for location. These funds will enable Semprius to open a new plant …
Tuesday Open Line
Gov. Bev Perdue continued her focus on spurring job creation and putting our people back to work with a series of high-profile jobs announcements. In 12 days, Gov. Bev Perdue announced more than 700 new jobs created in North Carolina. The announcements add to a tally of 1,030 announced jobs and $258 million in new investment announced since the General Assembly adjourned its session in June. The latest jobs announcements include 225 new jobs and a $101 million investment in …
Vance County Schools – Summer Pre-K Registration
Parents who have a child who will be four years old by August 31, 2011, and have not yet registered their child for pre-kindergarten for the new school year are urged to attend summer pre-kindergarten registration on Wednesday, July 20, and Thursday, July 21, in the Vance County Schools’ Administrative Services Center at 1724 Graham Avenue in Henderson. Parents should call Cassandra Evans at 492-2127, extension 2701, to schedule an appointment. For registration, parents should bring a copy of their …