If anyone’s curious as to what happened, or what didn’t happen, last Saturday May 21, there was according to Mr. Harold Camping a judgement indeed, and those determined worthy have been decided. “Through chatting with a friend over what he acknowledged was a very difficult weekend, it dawned on him that instead of the biblical Rapture in which the faithful would be swept up to the heavens, May 21 had instead been a “spiritual” Judgment Day, which places the entire …
State Unemployment Rate Holds Steady at 9.7% in April
North Carolina’s unemployment rate remained at 9.7 percent for the second consecutive month. During the same time, the state gained 2,900 nonfarm jobs. This is the fourth consecutive month of job growth. The private sector has added 37,400 jobs since December. Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm industry employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey increased by 2,900 to 3,892,900 in April. The largest over-the-month employment increase occurred in trade, transportation and utilities (+2,700). The largest decrease was in government (-2,300). …
Tuesday Open Line
Last night, the City of Henderson hosted a city council meeting. If you have any thoughts on the proceedings, feel free to discuss here on our open lines. If you’d like to submit an article with your take to be published in our news section or simply our opinion section feel free to contact us. This evening, Vance County will host a special called meeting Tuesday May 24th at 4pm in the Commissioners Conference Room in the Vance County Administration …
Arrest Reports 5/20/11 to 5/23/11
Monday – May 23, 2011 City Police Cody Smith, 21, of 1751 Spring Valley Lake Road was issued a warrant for Felony Kidnapping. He is being held at the Vance County Jail without bond. Court date is set for 7/25/11 at the Vance County Court. Damark Johnson, 29, of 917 Water Street was arrested for Misdemeanor Impeding Traffic. He is being held at the Vance County Jail on a $100.00 secured bond. Court date is set for 6/27/11 at the …
Perdue will not sign or veto house bill
Regarding House bill 129, she stated Friday that she will neither sign nor veto the controversial bill that regulates how a municipality can operate an internet and communication network. Her statement reads: “I believe that every school, household and business in North Carolina – no matter where they are – should have access to efficient and affordable broadband services. There is a need to establish rules to prevent cities and towns from having an unfair advantage over providers in the …
Governor Perdue Message
Governor, Cabinet secretaries hit the road on ‘Education Works’ tour Gov. Perdue and her cabinet secretaries marked week two of her “Education Works” tour — visiting schools, community colleges and classrooms across North Carolina in an effort to keep the focus on North Carolina’s top priority: education. Gov. Perdue kicked off the week with a jobs announcement in Lincolnton, where Aptar Corporation pledged to create 150 new jobs. The company told the governor that a primary reason they chose North …
Monday Open Line
We hope everyone had a great weekend. There was plenty to do in and around the area, if you’d like to send pictures of your friends and family enjoying local activities please feel free to send them in. We’d also like to remind everyone of tonight’s city council meeting for a short regular meeting and work session beginning at 6pm. Welcome to Monday’s open lines…
Henderson Police May Lose Sworn Officer Positions
Reporter – Leigh Hester- Nearly one in three employees of the City of Henderson Police Department will leave the force this year if recent past trends continue. In less than two years, 24 police officers have left the City force to work in cities with higher pay grades. Twenty-one positions within the department are open but unfilled because of the City’s inability to compete with other localities with higher pay grades. Ten of those unfilled but funded positions in the …
Senator Doug Berger Message
Education Cuts Concern Citizens Rep. Michael Wray and I held a town hall meeting last Thursday in Henderson. Approximately 55 people showed up to voice their concerns about cuts in the education budget. As I told the crowd, cuts will have to be made somewhere in the state budget, so it’s a question of where they will be. Most citizens stated that they were willing to continue paying a 1-cent sales tax scheduled to expire July 1 in order …
Friday / Weekend Open Line
There’s several things to do this weekend in and around Henderson. Check our calendar for details of this weekends events we’ve posted. If you know of more please let everyone know in the lines below. If you could help spread the word to area businesses and functions about our calendar it would benefit the whole community. So, does anyone expect a sudden population decline this weekend?
Michael H. Wray’s Raleigh Report
The state Senate is continuing to craft a proposed budget and has indicated its draft of the plan may be presented next week. I am hopeful that the Senate will improve its initial version and restore some of the millions of dollars cut out of education in the House plan. Our chamber has considered a number of issues this week, both on the chamber floor and elsewhere and I have included updates about them below. If you have any questions, …
Henderson Rec Players Auditions May 21
Auditions for “The King and I” and “The Odd Couple” (Female Version) will be held Saturday, May 21, at 2 p.m. at Eaton-Johnson Middle School in Henderson.
Got To Be NC Festival May 20-22
Whether it’s food, exhibits or entertainment, there are several new activities the whole family can enjoy at the 2011 Got to Be NC Festival at the N.C. State Fairgrounds, May 20-22. Admission and parking are free. “North Carolina is fortunate to be one of the most agriculturally diverse states in the country,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The Got to Be NC Festival showcases the best of the food, products and history that are part of N.C. agriculture, our state’s …
Public hearing on city budget May 23rd
A Public Hearing on the City of Henderson’s proposed Budget for the Fiscal Year 2011-201, beginning July 1, 2011, will be held in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 134 Rose Avenue, Henderson, NC, on Monday May 23, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. Changes may occur at the Public Hearing from the revenue and expenditure estimates which might also include changes in the proposed tax rate and other revenue sources such as water, sewer and sanitation charges, as well as …
Thursday Open Line
We had a reporter ready to go for Wednesday’s school board meeting, however we were informed that media was not allowed to attend. Perhaps the open lines will reveal any details… We’d like to remind everyone that today and Friday Crossroads Christian School is holding an open house event. You can read more about it on our calendar event page here.
Arrest Reports 5/13/11 to 5/15/11
Friday – May 13, 2011 City Police Quincy Mckinley Gregory, 26, of 1465 Newton Dairy Road Lot 6 was issued a warrant for Felony Possession with intent to manufacture/sell/or distribute a Schedule II controlled substance. The report states they seized 6gms of crack cocaine. He is being held at the Vance County Jail on a $10,000.00 secured bond. Court date is set for 6/20/11 at the Vance County Court. Harvey Jamaal Thorpe, 29, of 455 Joshua Lane was arrested for …
Club 15’s Community Day
Club 15’s Prince Hall Masons & Eastern Stars present their 1st Annual Community Day May 21, 2011 12 noon – 5:00pm Aycock Recreation Complex 307 Carey Chapel Road Henderson, NC 27537 Admission is free! Activities include: magic show, face painting, complimentary lunch and refreshments, tips on safety and fire prevention, live entertainment, resource information presented by local help organization, and a demonstration by Karate Kidz Academy For more information please call (252) 432-0884
Henderson faces challenges in upcoming budget year
Reporter – Leigh Hester – Balancing the City of Henderson Budget in any year is tricky business. By law, localities must operate within a balanced budget, and within the confines of an ongoing recession and the costs of fuels and insurance for City employees, this year is especially difficult. Everyone is reeling from the recession that has caused the cost of unleaded gasoline to rise a full dollar over a year ago this time. Additionally, the cost of health insurance …
Wednesday Open Line
Kudos to the HPD for over 350 felony charges across 12 locals suspected of recent home invasion robberies announced yesterday. 9 people have already been arrested in this investigation. In relation, a bill is sweeping its way through our state house that would make a persons 8th larceny charge and above an automatic felony. In detail, it would make a felony if it has been “committed after the defendant has been convicted in this State or in another jurisdiction for …
NC Ranks in top 10 summer travel destinations
NEW YORK, May 6, 2011 — More Americans are planning to travel this summer despite rising gas prices, according to the latest American Express Spending & Saving Tracker (59 percent in 2011 vs. 51 percent in 2010). Vacationing consumers plan to take an average of two week-long vacations, spending an average of $1,200 per person, and three weekend-getaways with an average spend of $300 per weekend. “Staycations, popularized during the recession, are falling to the wayside as consumers go beachside …