Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) joined millions of Americans in marking the month-long recognition of National Minority Health Awareness Month by issuing the following statement: “During National Minority Health Month, we recognize the importance of advancing health equity and protecting critical health programs that are vital to minority and underserved communities. “Today, and every day, let us raise awareness about the health disparities that continue to affect minority populations across the nation and recommit ourselves to providing the best possible access …
VGCC Student recognized for Academic Excellence
Vance-Granville Community College has named student Elizabeth M. Caulfield of Louisburg as its recipient of the North Carolina Community College System’s Academic Excellence Award for 2016. One student from each of the 58 colleges in the state system is honored with the award each year. Caulfield will be officially recognized at Commencement in May, when she is scheduled to graduate from the college with an Associate in Arts degree. That same month, Caulfield will graduate from Franklin County Early College …
Vance-Granville Community Band presents free Spring Concert April 8th, 2016
The Vance-Granville Community Band will present its annual spring concert on Friday, April 8, at 7 p.m. in the Civic Center on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County. Admission is free and the public is invited. The concert lineup features light classical and contemporary favorites. The program includes themes from classic feature films and TV series, “The Magnificent Seven,” “The Great Escape” and “Hogan’s Heroes”; several marches (“Guadalcanal” by Richard Rodgers, “Free-Lance” by Sousa and “Phantom Regiment” by Leroy Anderson); …
Monday Open Line
Today is Vitamin C Day, celebrated — if that’s the word — every April 4 on the anniversary of the isolation of this vitamin. The breakthrough was made in 1932 by two doctors at the University of Pittsburgh. Before then, people knew that eating citrus fruit and fresh greens warded off certain diseases, such as scurvy, but didn’t know why. Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is required to sustain human life. Studies have shown that people with a …
Friday / Weekend Open Lines
Friday, April 1st. Broadcast advertising was confronted with a major downsizing on this date in 1970 as President Nixon signed a bill into law prohibiting cigarette advertising on the nation’s airwaves. The ban went into effect on January 1 of the following year — the first major step in the ongoing debate over the public health risk of smoking. Until then, names such as Lucky Strike, Chesterfield and Philip Morris had sponsored some of the most famous shows since the …
Governor McCrory Releases Video Message on legislation that protects the privacy of North Carolina citizen
Governor McCrory released the following video message regarding the latest statements on legislation that protects the privacy of North Carolina citizens. Transcript: “Hi, I’m North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory. “In the 50 plus years since I’ve lived in North Carolina I’ve learned that the people of North Carolina love each other and they respect their differences. Even when those differences conflict with their beliefs and values. “Time and time again I’ve witnessed the people of North Carolina put aside …
Vance County Board of Commissioners special meeting on Monday, April 4 2016
Vance County Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting on Monday, April 4 at 5:15 p.m. The purpose of the special meeting is to enter into closed session to discuss a personnel matter. The meeting will be held in the administrative conference room.
Thomas Jefferson discusses Constitution in second VGCC lecture
History came to life once again at Vance-Granville Community College on March 17, when students, faculty, staff and members of the community enjoyed a visit from Thomas Jefferson, as portrayed by Bill Barker. He presented “Mr. Jefferson and the U.S. Constitution,” the second in his series of three lectures, which have been organized by VGCC’s Arts and Sciences division this spring. Barker, the critically acclaimed resident “Mr. Jefferson” at Colonial Williamsburg, Va., has a local connection, as his father was …
NC Beer Month kicks off this Friday
The fourth annual NC Beer Month begins this Friday with more than 80 breweries and dozens of destinations across the state participating. Co-sponsored by Visit North Carolina and the N.C. Craft Brewers Guild, NC Beer Month is designed to draw the attention of beer travelers with special events throughout April and to solidify North Carolina’s stature as a top beer destination year-round. In recognition, too, Gov. Pat McCrory has proclaimed April as NC Beer Month. The April celebration is supported by …
Congressman G. K. Butterfield to Host State of the District Address on April 5
On Tuesday, April 5, 2016, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) will hold a State of the District address in Durham, NC. In a continuing effort to keep residents well informed and involved in their community’s growth and development, Congressman Butterfield invites residents of the First Congressional District to his first of three State of the District addresses which begin on April 5. Congressman Butterfield and elected officials from across the First District will share critical updates on issues impacting the …
Participate with Welcome Centers for National Travel & Tourism Week
This year’s National Travel & Tourism Week is May 1-7. Each year, North Carolina’s nine Welcome Centers celebrate the occasion by inviting travel partners to help thank visitors for traveling here. Tourism Week provides an excellent opportunity to bring your message directly to visitors in the state seeking travel information. Attractions, accommodations and other tourism-related businesses are invited to contact the individual Welcome Center managers to coordinate participation in Tourism Week; there is no charge to participate, but space is …
Thursday Open Line
The 15th Amendment to the Constitution declared the right to vote “shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” It was ratified on February 3, 1870. The new, affirmed civil right was first exercised on this date that year, though in a decidedly minor electoral matter. Thomas Peterson-Mundy, a former slave, was the first African-American to exercise the franchise, casting a vote in favor …
Clarke Elementary Students Publish Works
Members of the third-grade class of Sara Ireland at Clarke Elementary School have had a book published featuring their writings and illustrations. Ireland’s students studied for a few weeks about outer space and our solar system. She used her students’ studies as the basis for the book entitled, “If I Were An Astronaut That Landed On . . .,” with each student selecting a planet, real or imaginary, they would like to visit. The results were 20 different stories, each with …
VGCC partnering with WARR on Food Truck Rodeo
The Vance-Granville Community College Mobile Food Truck Entrepreneurship program will participate in a Food Truck Rodeo being held in conjunction with the “Family and Friends Celebration” sponsored by radio station WARR 1520 AM in Warrenton. WARR’s event is scheduled for Saturday, April 2, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., at the Warren County Recreation Center (840 U.S. Highway 158 Bypass, Warrenton). The public is invited. The “rodeo” comes just days after VGCC wraps up its training program, a series of …
Main Street Champions Honored
Main Street Champions will be recognized for their commitment to downtown improvements and strong communities this morning during an awards breakfast in Goldsboro. Thirty-seven individuals will receive honors for their contributions in 2015. This year’s group of Main Street Champions brings the total number to 603 since Champions were first named in 1980 as part of N.C. Main Street’s 20thanniversary celebration. Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III will attend the Breakfast with Main Street Champions Ceremony at Goldsboro’s Paramount Theatre …
Southern Vance High Beta Club Inductions
The National Beta Club chapter at Southern Vance High School has inducted 39 new members into the prestigious, academic organization. Each new inductee was recognized during a special ceremony held in the school’s gymnasium on March 24. They each were presented certificates and lapel pins by Principal Stephanie Ayscue and senior members of the National Beta Club chapter. New members include: Hakeem Agbele, Zachariah Alexander, Jordan Alston, Nigoria Alston, Allison Ayscue, Carlos Barajas, Samaria Carter, Viridiana Chavez, Christian Clark, Katie …
Wednesday Open Line
FM radio is 75 years old. In March 1941, the first commercial FM station went on the air — W47NV in Nashville, Tennessee. FM — standing for frequency modulation — was first proposed in a scientific paper written by Edwin Armstrong in 1922. By 1934, he was demonstrating to network officials how FM was unaffected by static, like all the radio stations then on the air, which used AM, or amplitude modulation. World War II interrupted the advance of FM …
Former Congresswoman Eva Clayton to Join Congressman G. K. Butterfield on his “Jobs and Justice Tour” This Week
Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) is hosting listening sessions on March 29th and March 31st in Greenville and Halifax, NC, respectively. The listening sessions are part of Butterfield’s “Jobs and Justice Tour.” Tomorrow’s forum, entitled “Re-Entry: Ensuring a Successful Return to the Community,” will be held at STRIVE NC. During the panel discussion, formerly incarcerated community members will have an opportunity to connect with service providers to discuss re-entry and opportunities for successful community transitions. WHAT: “Re-Entry: Ensuring a Successful …
Work To Start on New Interchange for Triangle Expressway
Work is about to begin on a new interchange for the Triangle Expressway. The $18.4 million project will add access to and from the Triangle Expressway at Old Holly Springs-Apex Road, which is just east of U.S. 1. It is the first new interchange along North Carolina’s first modern toll road since its final phase opened in 2013. It will improve mobility for current traffic, as well as for the much larger volumes of traffic anticipated within the 10 ten …
Tuesday Open Line
One of the most successful brand names of all time got its start on this date in 1886. That’s when Atlanta pharmacist John Pemberton brewed up the first batch of Coca-Cola — designed as a hangover cure. The product went on sale at Jacob’s pharmacy a few weeks later, and sold an average of nine servings a day at the start. Success followed quickly, and until 1905, contained extracts of cocaine, as well as the caffeine-rich kola nut. Today, the …