On August 5 2015, Vance County Commissioner Tommy Hester reported alarmingly in the Dispatch that State Senator Harry Brown’s proposed sales tax redistribution “scheme” will cost Vance County $200,000 next year. On August 4, the day before Hester made his proclamation, the State Senate, in a final 34-12 vote, approved Senator Brown’s sales tax proposal. According to the Fiscal Research Division of the NC General Assembly, under Senator Brown’s legislation, Vance County’s sales tax revenue is projected to increase 3% …
Mountain State Fair offers new attractions, rides and more
FLETCHER – Each year, thousands of visitors flock to the WNC Agricultural Center for the N.C. Mountain State Fair to celebrate the people, agriculture and traditions of Western North Carolina. This year, organizers are adding new rides, attractions and exhibits to the lineup of annual favorites. “This year, we’ve brought in several new attractions,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We’ve also expanded the footprint of Heritage Circle to highlight even more traditional crafters that continue to add to the region’s …
Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers Annual Banquet September 17th, 2015
The Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers will hold its annual fund raising banquet on Thursday, September 17th 2015 at the Vance Granville Community College Civic Center at 6:30 p.m. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Stefanie Williams, President of VGCC. Tickets are $10 each or a table for 8 for $100. The tables can be customized with a company or personal logo. Please contact Lorraine Watkins at 252-492-8407 or stop by The Screen Master at 100 South Garnett Street in downtown or John …
Ducky Derby in Downtown Henderson August 29th, 2015
Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start Presents Ducky Derby Festival Saturday, August 29, 2015 10:00 am – 2:00 pm in Downtown Henderson, NC FGV Smart start will hold its 6th annual Ducky Derby fundraiser in downtown Henderson on August 29th. Breckenridge Street will be filled with food vendors and games for children, as well as information booths with resources for families. At 2 o’clock, Garnett Street will again host a river of numbered rubber ducks as the race for prizes begins! Grand Prize-$1,000 2nd Place-$500 3rd Place-$250 …
Friday / Weekend Open Lines
Friday, August 14th. Preserving Social Security is a continuing concern in an increasingly aging America. The demographic profile was different on this date in 1935, when the program was signed into law by President Roosevelt. The program aimed to provide security to retired workers over 65, most of whom had no pension, and life expectancy at birth was just 58 years for men and 62 for women. The first monthly check under the system was for $22.54, issued in January …
VGCC names new Dean of Warren Campus
Lyndon Hall was recently named Dean of Vance-Granville Community College’s Warren County Campus. In his new leadership role, Hall is responsible for supervising all operations at the satellite campus in Warrenton, including both the curriculum and continuing education courses offered there. A Durham resident, Hall has been a member of the college’s staff since 2009. In fact, his new posting marks a return to the location where his VGCC career began, as the Warren Campus Coordinator and college liaison for …
A Section of U.S. 401 Business to close for Paving postponed to Friday night
Raleigh—N.C. Department of Transportation contractors will close a section of U.S.401 Business this Friday, Aug. 14 at 10 p.m. The closure was originally scheduled to take place Thursday night but was pushed back a day because of the rain earlier this week. As always the closure is weather contingent. The road will be closed from the southern intersection with the U.S. 401Rolesville Bypass to Jonesville Road. The work is being done so crews can do final paving in this area. …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of Aug. 13 on North Carolina Weekend, enjoy the great outdoors at Gorges State Park in Sapphire. Take in the fun at Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival in Cary. Relax at the Hot Springs Resort and Spa in Hot Springs. Go canoe camping along the Tar River. And the “House Special” samples the fare at Tickle My Ribs in Burlington. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by Visit North Carolina. …
N.C. Downtown Development Association hears about Visit North Carolina programs
A myriad of officials from across the state came to the Rocky Mount this week for two different causes, both highlighting the area’s assets. The larger of the two groups represented 13 of the 18 cities in the large cities sector of the N.C. Downtown Development Association, which kicked off the annual meeting Thursday with a cocktail reception at the Rocky Mount Brewmill, a bus tour of downtown then dinner at Prime Smokehouse on the Douglas Block. The group of …
Thursday Open Line
Even in this Internet world, many of us still receive printed catalogs through the mail, especially near the holiday season. The first such catalog — more of a flyer — was sent out by Montgomery Ward late this month in 1872. That first catalog consisted of only one page, featuring 163 items for mail order purchase. The idea was so successful that by 1904, the Ward’s catalog weighed in at four pounds. Montgomery Ward ceased producing its catalog in 1985, …
Vance County Board of Commissioners Notice of Special Meeting August 18th
Please be informed that the Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, August 18 at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room. The purpose is to enter into closed session to discuss a personnel matter.
Wednesday Open Line
This date 34 years ago is significant in the advance of the digital age. On August 12, 1981, IBM introduced its model 5150 — which soon became known simply as the “PC.” There had been consumer computer models for some years before, such as the early Apple and Commodore, but the IBM machine marked a turning point in acceptance due to the manufacturer’s prominence. The company was famous for its pioneering, large mainframe computers, and even by 1984, barely over …
A Section of U.S. 401 Business to close for Paving Thursday Night
Raleigh—N.C. Department of Transportation contractors will close a section of U.S.401 Business in Rolesville this Thursday, Aug. 13, from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. on Friday, weather permitting. The road will be closed from the southern intersection with the U.S. 401 Rolesville Bypass to Jonesville Road. The closure is needed so crews can do final paving in this area. Law enforcement will be assisting with the signed detour. Drivers can follow that detour along U.S. 401 Bypass to Jonesville …
Vance County Board of Commissioners Notice of Committee Meetings
Please note the following schedule of upcoming committee meetings. All meetings will be held in the administrative conference room. Public Safety Committee (Brummitt, Brown, Wilder) Wednesday, August 19 at 4:00 p.m. Purpose: Review Animal Shelter Drawings Tax Reval Ad Hoc Committee (Brummitt, Brown, Garrison) Monday, August 31 at 2:00 p.m. Purpose: Tax Revaluation matters Water Planning Committee (Garrison, Brummitt, Taylor) Monday, August 31 at 3:00 p.m. Purpose: Water Project matters Properties Committee (Brown, Brummitt, Hester) Tuesday, …
Senator Richard Burr: ABLE Act, IRS Targeting, Benefits to Veterans
Last week, I was pleased to see that the North Carolina General Assembly passed the ABLE Act, and it is now on its way to Governor McCrory for his signature. I am proud that our state is championing this important law for North Carolinians with disabilities and their families. Check out Winston Salem Journal’s story on the ABLE Act here. In Washington on Thursday, the Finance committee released a bipartisan report on the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of organizations applying for …
State Board of Education Strengthens its Role in Halifax County Schools to Address Financial, Personnel and Student Placement Decisions
Citing examples of unaddressed recommendations and heightened concern for the students, teachers, principals and staff in Halifax County Schools (HCS), the State Board of Education today sent a letter to the Halifax Board of Education stating that it will take a more direct role in the district’s budget, employment decisions and student course assignment decisions effective immediately. The Board stressed that it is acting on behalf of the students in the district to support their quality education. “We are concerned …
Tuesday Open Line
An invention that has had a profound impact on our use of fabrics and on the nation’s economy was patented this week in 1851 — the home sewing machine, developed by Isaac Singer. The idea of the sewing machine — and some working models — went back to nearly a century before 1851. But Singer’s simple, sturdy machine was the first to be a commercial success. While far fewer people sew at home as avidly as was done in the …
Michael Bobbitt: Notes From The Peanut Gallery (Board of Commissioners August 3rd 2015)
The six active county commissioners held their regular monthly meeting this past Monday. The meeting was relatively short and much of the normal commissioner rancor. The meeting opened with public comments a nice change especially when the public is present to make meaningful and informed comments. Public Comments Sandra Butler Tubbs, spoke for her five minutes on an issue she says is on the near horizon, an increasing population of seniors. According to Mr. Tubbs in the next five years …
VGCC Names New Director of Student Activities & Athletics
Jeffrey Allen has been named the director of student activities and athletics at Vance-Granville Community College. Allen will oversee clubs, organizations and extracurricular activities that engage students on campus, as well as the college’s intercollegiate athletics program, which includes men’s basketball and women’s volleyball teams. He will also serve as the advisor for the VGCC Student Government Association (SGA). Allen was active in student government when he was an undergraduate, and feels passionately about involving VGCC students in such opportunities. …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: Ensuring Access to Screenings
Photo of the Week This picture is from my very first visit to Fort Bragg in March, 2011. Since then, I have continually fought on behalf of the brave men and women in my district. As the representative of Fort Bragg, including the 440th Airlift Wing at the Pope Army Airfield, military and national defense is of the utmost importance to me. For this reason, I have fought against the U.S. Army’s decision to deactivate the 440th Airlift Wing and …