The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has activated its hotline to connect farmers with resources that can assist with agricultural emergencies. The toll-free number is 1-866-645-9403. The hotline operates 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. “There is still uncertainty about how Hurricane Irma will affect our state,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We anticipate impacts to farms could include power outages, damage to crops and agricultural buildings, and animal health emergencies. We are prepared to work with our state …
VGCC Students Awarded Golden LEAF Scholarships
A group of students from Vance-Granville Community College recently received scholarships through the Golden LEAF Scholarship program for the North Carolina Community College System. The scholarship program, designed to help North Carolinians attend the state’s community colleges, is funded through a $750,000 grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation. The scholarship can be used to assist with tuition, books, fees, supplies, transportation and childcare expenses related to attending classes during the 2016-17 academic year, and industry-recognized credential testing expenses that address …
Butterfield Statement on President Trump’s Decision to End DACA
Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement after Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ remarks confirming President Donald Trump’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA: “DACA offered protection for young people who were brought to the United States as young children, the vast majority of whom know no other home than the United States. Today, President Trump has failed to “show great heart” to the hundreds of thousands of young people …
Starting Today: FREE NC Quick Pass Transponders
To help customers save time and money on both local commuting as well as road trips, starting today, NC Quick Pass will offer free NC Quick Pass transponders and 60 percent off NC Quick Pass E-ZPass compatible transponders ($7.40 + tax) – and those are permanent discounts, not sale prices. “We are excited to offer for the first time free NC Quick Pass transponders,” says Turnpike Authority Executive Director Beau Memory. “This will be a game-changer for both new customers …
Western Vance Facility Has Been Closed
Vance County Schools has officially closed the Western Vance High School building on Poplar Creek Road near Henderson. The facility will no longer be used to house instructional programs by the school system. Superintendent Anthony Jackson recommended relocating the programs currently housed at the Western facility to available unused space on the campus of Henderson Middle School. This recommendation was approved by the Vance County Board of Education at its meeting on June 12. With the board’s action, the AdVance Academy formerly housed at Western …
Tips For Making Donations to Help Hurricane Victims
Hurricanes are something we know far too much about. From Hazel (back in the day), to Fran, and Sandy and Floyd, and countless others, there have been far too many times when we’ve been hit hard, and needed the help of others. Hurricane Harvey tugs at us, because we know what it’s like. But before you make that donation to help, make sure you know where your money is going! (The following is from the Office of Attorney General Josh …
Eligibility Criteria Announced for Free or Reduced-Price Meals in the National School Lunch Program
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) today announced the 2017-18 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy for free and reduced-price meals for children enrolled in North Carolina schools. The USDA’s school meals programs help ensure all students have access to wholesome, nutritious, appealing meals at school. “Research indicates children who are hungry or poorly nourished have difficulty learning and do not perform as well in the classroom as students who are well-nourished,” said NCDPI School Nutrition Services …
Vance County School Year Starts Smoothly!
Approximately 5,400 students reported today for their first day of classes for the 2017-2018 at 15 Vance County Schools with all indications that the day ran very smoothly at all school sites. They join the approximately 600 students already in school since early August at E.M. Rollins Elementary School and Early College High School. After the Labor Day holiday, over 300 pre-kindergarten students also will be attending classes in our 10 elementary schools. Students arrived at elementary, middle and high …
Booze it & Lose It Campaign
The end of summer means the start of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program’s annual Labor Day Booze It & Lose It campaign. In its 23rd year, Booze It & Lose It complements NC Vision Zero initiative, which aims to save lives on North Carolina roadways. The goal is to reach zero traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries through coordinated agency-to-agency efforts that help reduce risky driving behaviors. “The main thing we’re interested in doing is reducing the instances of drunk driving. We want to …
School Bus Cameras
Governor Roy Cooper signed into law Senate Bill 55 in July to help protect students from unsafe drivers and give parents and teachers added peace of mind when sending children to the school bus. SB 55 follows several instances of students being injured or killed by unsafe drivers while waiting for, or getting on or off, a school bus. Now, North Carolina school systems will be able to use the same technology that catches drivers who run red lights to catch …
More Updates to the 85 South Detours …..
Don’t blame the bearer of bad news, folks. I drive this stretch every day, myself …. I reckon one of these years we’ll have a fully functioning highway again ;) Until then, set that alarm for a few minutes earlier! Work on the Interstate 85 improvement project in Vance and Warren counties is requiring the two-month closure of the North Carolina Welcome Center starting today. It is located off the southbound lanes at mile marker 231, two miles south of …
Governor Cooper Announces 55 New Jobs as Revlon Expands in Granville County
Revlon, the global cosmetics and beauty care products company will expand operations at its existing facility near Oxford, creating 55 full-time jobs over three years, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $16.1 million to add production capacity for its Elizabeth Arden line of products. “Revlon has found success in North Carolina thanks to our top-flight workforce and exceptional business climate,” Governor Cooper said. “This expansion is the latest example of the confidence global companies place in our …
New School Hours for Vance County Schools
New hours are in place for students who attend Vance County Schools for the 2017-2018 school year. The new student hours include: Elementary Schools: 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. E.M. Rollins: 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Middle Schools: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. STEM Early High: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. High Schools: 7:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Early College: 8:25 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.
The World Is Not Coming To An End
In case you hadn’t heard … there’s a solar eclipse happening today. I don’t know how anyone could NOT hear about it, but it’s always a possibility. And in case you’re wondering what time you need to tell your boss that you need to leave the office for this once in a lifetime event (it’s really not, but more on that later), it will begin at 1:16 PM, peak at 2:44pm and it’s all over and done with at 4:06pm. …
High School Students Explore Health Sciences at Two VGCC Campuses
High school students from across the region recently attended “Mini-Medical School” camps organized by the Wake Area Health Education Center (AHEC) in partnership with Vance-Granville Community College. The camp was held first in June at VGCC’s South Campus, located between Butner and Creedmoor, and in July at the college’s Franklin County Campus, just outside Louisburg. Between the two locations, 44 students completed the program. This was the college’s fourth summer partnering with Wake AHEC on the Mini-Medical School, which is …
Henderson Featured in ‘Our State’ Magazine!
From Kerr Lake to the Farmer’s Market and Drive in Movie Theater, ‘Our State’ Magazine takes a look at our small town of Henderson, and some of the best things about it! Read the article HERE.
Butterfield Statement on Demonstration in Durham
Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement regarding the demonstration in Durham: “There is no place for hate, bigotry, and racism in our society. The demonstrators today are making it known loudly and clearly that the KKK, Neo-Nazis, and other extremist groups are not welcome in our communities. “The actions in Durham do not take place in a vacuum. People of good will no longer tolerate anyone who desires to honor and celebrate a dark period of …
L.B. Yancey Elementary School Wins “School of the Year”
L.B. Yancey Elementary School won the “School of the Year” award presented at the end of the school system’s Convocation for all employees at McGregor Hall in Henderson on August 17. Superintendent Anthony Jackson presented the award to Dr. Carnetta Thomas, principal of L.B. Yancey. The school captured the honor for its outstanding year in student achievements, positive school climate, cooperation and cohesion of the school staff members and involvement in its community. Thomas holds the award and is joined …
ACTS Receives $5000 Grant
ACTS was the recent recipient of a $5000 grant from the Frances Abbot Burton Powers Fund through the NC Community Foundation. Shown are members of the ACTS staff and Board of Directors, as well as members of the committee who awarded the grant. This money will be used to help purchase a much needed commercial refrigeration/freezer unit.
VGCC ranked in top 20 online colleges in North Carolina
A national organization has recognized Vance-Granville Community College as one of the top 20 colleges in North Carolina offering online programs. California-based OnlineColleges.com ranked VGCC 19th on a list that included both two-year and four-year institutions of higher learning. Among just the two-year colleges, VGCC ranked tenth-highest. “Focusing on affordability, student services, and the availability of online programs, we used the most recent government data to evaluate colleges and universities across the country,” said OnlineColleges.com representative Kelly Rivett of the …