In this week’s address, the President celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act by underscoring the importance of one of the most fundamental rights of our democracy — that all of us are created equal and that each of us deserves a voice. The enactment of the Voting Rights Act wasn’t easy — it was the product of sacrifice from countless men and women who risked so much to protect every person’s right to vote. The President reminded …
Monday Open Line
The Smithsonian Institution was founded on this date in 1846. It is named for British scientist James Smithson, who willed his fortune to the U.S. to establish the institution, even though he had never visited America. Today, the Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum and research complex, made up of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoo, and nine research centers. It currently has nearly 138 million items in its collections. It is one of the main attractions for both …
City of Henderson City Council Meeting Monday August 10th, 2015
Henderson City Council Regular Meeting Monday, 10 August 2015 6:00 PM City Hall Council Chambers, 134 Rose Ave., Henderson, NC 27536 Download the full agenda here: 20150810_coh_agenda_packet I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IV. OPENING REMARKSIn order to provide for the highest standards of ethical behavior and Transparency in Governanceas well as provide for good and open government, the City Council has approved Core Valuesregarding Ethical Behavior1 and Transparency in Governance2. The Mayor now …
Rusty McMahon: Duplicitous!
Recently, the Dispatch ran a guest column by Tommy Hester, Vance County Commissioner and local developer. Hester masterfully claimed that redistribution of tax revenue is bad and that redistribution of tax revenue is good. Hester claims that a proposed legislative plan would “penalize counties that are the state’s main centers of commerce” by redistributing sales tax dollars to counties that are not as well off. Economic powerhouses like Vance County will have to subsidize less successful counties. Newsflash! We are …
Final Shift on Rolesville Bypass Will Happen This Weekend
Raleigh–The final traffic shift on the U.S. 401 Rolesville Bypass will take place Saturday, Aug. 8, between 9 p.m. and 12 a.m., weather permitting. This will complete putting the bypass in its final four-lane pattern. Currently the northern section of the bypass from just south of Creek Pine Drive to N.C. 96 is in a two-lane pattern. Once this shift is complete, the bypass will be in its final four-lane pattern. The work is part of a $25 million project …
Shrimp arrive Saturday August 8th Vance County Regional Farmers Market
At The Farmers Market This Week *Apples *Butter Beans *Cantaloupe *Corn *Cucumbers *Cut Flowers *Eggs *Eggplant *Green Beans *Honey *Okra *Onions *Peaches *Peas *Peppers *Potatoes *Radishes *Sauces & Rubs *Shrimp *Squash *Tomatoes *Watermelons We will have SHRIMP at the VCRFM Saturday, August 8th We will also feature many handmade crafts such as textiles, soaps, note cards, and artwork. Rounding out our variety of goods this week will be an assortment of plants -including hanging baskets, herbs, & vegetable plants; baked …
N.C. wine and grape industry has $1.71-billion impact on state’s economy
RALEIGH – Wine lovers may raise a glass to a new report that shows the North Carolina wine and grape industry contributes $1.71 billion to the state’s economy. “It is encouraging to see continued growth in the wine and grape industry, not only for our wineries, but also for our grape growers,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “More than 77 percent of all wine produced in North Carolina comes from North Carolina grapes.” The study was commissioned by the N.C. …
Vance County Board of Education Meeting Monday August 10th, 2015
Vance County Board of Education Henderson, N. C. 27536 August 10, 2015 7:00 p.m. Administrative Services Center A G E N D A I. Call to Order II. Moment of Silence * III. Approval of Minutes IV. Oath of Office – Dr. Anthony D. Jackson, Superintendent * V. Approval of Meeting Agenda VI. Recognitions/Announcements VII. Comments from the Public (Citizens who would like to address the Board may do so by completing Form BDDH-E, Public Participation at Board Meetings. …
Friday / Weekend Open Lines
Friday, August 7th. One of the engines of business and personal life in the 21st century is just 24 years old this month — the World Wide Web. The concept debuted this week in 1991, developed by two scientists at the Cern Laboratory in Geneva, Switzerland. At 24, the Web is quite a bit younger than the U.S. median age of 37, but in its brief life has come to shape our daily lives. It took some time to get …
Thursday Open Line
On this date 101 years ago, American motorists got the green light to confidently proceed through increasingly traveled crossroads. A traffic light system, credited with being the first in the U.S., flashed red and green at the intersection of 105th Street and Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. To further prompt drivers, the words “Stop” and “Move” were emblazoned on the operating red and green lights. At the time, there were about 1.8 million motor vehicles in the U.S., six times …
Louisburg College Announces an Exciting Line Up for the 2015-2016 Allen de Hart Concert Series
LOUISBURG, NC | The College is pleased to announce an exciting line-up for the 2015-2016 Allen de Hart Concert Series. With seven sensational shows and two pre-concert holiday dinners, this series is sure to offer something for everyone! The series will open with a concert by Melissa Manchester on Friday, September 11, 2015. Manchester’s extraordinary career has earned both critical praise and commercial success. “Don’t Cry Out Loud” delivered her first Grammy nomination for Best Pop Female Vocal Performance in …
Building Reuse Grows Jobs & Communities
In today’s fast-paced economy, it doesn’t take long for a once-modern industrial building to become obsolete. But companies and communities looking to update older buildings can tap state support through the Building Reuse Grant Program. Administered by the Rural Economic Development Division of the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the program provides matching funds to property owners and tenants for modernization of electrical systems, plumbing, lighting, HVAC, security features and more. The result is not just better buildings, but permanent …
Communities Can Strengthen Innovation
The North Carolina Board of Science, Technology and Innovation is a key partner in a new initiative to build and sustain local innovation in communities outside of the Triangle and Charlotte. InnovateNC: A Cross-City Learning Collaborative will be an intensive, two-year collaborative allowing up to five North Carolina communities to build and sustain their local innovation ecosystems based on a new economic development model. By actively sharing best practices and then widely disseminating results, InnovateNC intends to help scale innovation …
Vance County Board of Commissioners Meeting September Date Changed
The Vance County Board of Commissioners has changed the meeting date for the September 2015 meeting to Tuesday September 8th, 2015 at 6pm.
Wednesday Open Line
On this date 101 years ago, American motorists got the green light to confidently proceed through increasingly traveled crossroads. A traffic light system, credited with being the first in the U.S., flashed red and green at the intersection of 105th Street and Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. To further prompt drivers, the words “Stop” and “Move” were emblazoned on the operating red and green lights. At the time, there were about 1.8 million motor vehicles in the U.S., six times …
Tuesday Open Line
On this date in 1790, the young federal government issued its first bonds, promising to pay between 3 and 6 percent interest. The borrowed money was used for liquidating state debts related to the Revolutionary War and assumed by the new national government. At the time, the national debt was over $71 million. Today, the national debt is put at over $18 trillion. But we, the people, have a government reflective of its citizens, as Americans individually carry great debt. …
Shooting in Henderson Highland Green Apartments, Reward Offered for Information
On August 3, 2015 around 12:21 AM officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to Highland Green Apartments, 111 S. Pinkston Street Henderson, NC in reference to shots being fired. While in route, officers were advised that there was a 9 year-old female that was transported by a personal vehicle to a local medical facility with injuries. The 9 year-old victim is currently being treated for her injuries. Officers on scene at Highland Green Apartments located a 19 year-old female, …
VGCC Nursing student coordinates Blood Drive
Vance-Granville Community College hosted an American Red Cross Blood Drive on its Main Campus in Vance County on July 21. A VGCC Associate Degree Nursing student, Elaine Harrison of Oxford, served as coordinator of the blood drive. Harrison said that she was “very pleased” with the drive, which resulted in the donation of 19 units of blood. One unit can provide blood for three people. “I am currently holding a position as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) while I’m also a nursing …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: Protecting Access to Healthcare
Photo of the Week I enjoyed talking with members of the Veterans Treatment Court of Harnett/Lee/Johnston County on Wednesday morning while they were in Washington attending the National Conference. From left to right are pictured Vernon Steward, District 11A District Attorney; Marsha Johnson, Clerk of the Superior Court–Harnett County; Chief District Court Judge Jacquelyn Lee; and LTC(R) Mark Teachey, Veterans Treatment Court Coordinator. Weekly Update This week, I am thrilled to introduce H.R. 3339, the Protect Access to Lifesaving Screenings Act. …
Attorney General Roy Cooper: “We buy homes” signs don’t provide the relief they promise
Scammers are trying to take advantage of struggling families by promising to buy homes for quick cash. These scammers send postcards and put out signs proclaiming, “We buy homes!” But rather than buying houses as advertised, most of these companies will try to convince you to sign over control of your home. The company then leases the property out to a new tenant. As a result, you lose rights to your home but remain on the hook for mortgage payments. …