Vance Co. Board of Education Expected to Approve May 16 School Closing

-Press Release, Vance County Schools

After meeting with the officers and representatives of the Vance County Association of Educators and reviewing staff request leave data, Superintendent Anthony Jackson will recommend to the Board of Education on Monday evening that Vance County Schools convert Wednesday, May 16, to a student holiday and an optional teacher workday.

A majority of the Board of Education has indicated their support of the request and plans to approve the superintendent’s recommendation at their meeting on Monday evening.

The recommendation and expected board decision are the result of a planned teacher advocacy rally that is scheduled for May 16 in Raleigh. The event, sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Educators, is expected to draw thousands of educators from across the state.

The current request from Vance County Schools’ staff exceeds the district’s ability to provide coverage with available substitutes.

The administration is making this recommendation to support our teachers’ desire to advocate for better pay and benefits while balancing it with the needs of our schools and students.

The recommendation to the board will be to:

  • Designate May 16 as an optional teacher workday
  • High school Advanced Placement testing continues as planned
  • The “Honoring Academic Success” banquet to recognize the top 10 percent of the Class of 2018 graduates will be held as planned on May 16, at 6:30 p.m. in McGregor Hall in Henderson and students should report to McGregor Hall as directed by their teachers and counselors
  • To recapture the lost instructional time, all schools will add 15 minutes to the instructional day from May 29 – June 8

This schedule will allow the school system to maintain the current exam and commencement schedules.

“I strongly believe that this recommendation is in the best interest of our schools and the best path for us at this time,” Jackson said. “The lack of available substitutes to cover our anticipated absences could potentially place us at-risk next Wednesday if we remain open. We will be stretched to provide the necessary supervision and standard of care our parents expect. This recommendation, while not perfect, will allow us to support both teachers and students.”

Mother’s Day Gifts Galore at Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

-Information courtesy Tracy Madigan, VCRFM

Mother’s Day is upon us, Sunday, May 13, 2018!

You are invited to the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, 210 Southpark Drive, Henderson, on Saturday, May 12, 2108, which is the last shopping day before Mother’s Day.

The Market will be open on Saturday from 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

An assortment of crafts for gift giving along with beef, pork, produce, wine, strawberries and baked goods will be available for purchase!

Breakfast sales will start at 8 a.m.

Anticipated Vendors – May 12th:
Adcock Farm – Canned goods & tomatoes
Backroad Farm & Vineyard – Wine, lettuce & kale
Cakes Delish – Designer Cupcakes
Dixon & Sons Farm – Strawberries & Pork
Donation Station – Collection for ACTS
Eclectic Peacock – Variety of Crafts
Faulkner Family Farms – Meat – Pork
Five Crows Over Lick Skillet – Jewelry
Glover Gifts – Crafts Galore
Harvey Hills Farms – Plants, herbs & flowers
JASM Farms – Strawberries, Onions & Turnips
J W Creek Farm – Meat – Beef & eggs
Jerri’s Things – Crocheted and Sewn items
Kelly Lynn Photography – Photographic Art
Orelly’s Curry Q Sauces – Bottled Sauces
Pretty Tough Stuff – Bracelets & jewelry
Stone Bridge Farm – Lettuce, Chicken & Guinea Eggs & Swiss Chard

Beginning May 16th: The Farmers Market will be open Wednesdays and Saturdays 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Special Event:  Rise and shine! Chef Gavin Jackson is returning to the Market after a successful debut last week. Gavin’s Grub Hub will be serving breakfast starting at 8 a.m. Arrive early, sells out quickly! Menu includes: Shrimp & grits, biscuits & gravy, quiches and breakfast style potatoes

Contacts: 
Market Manager: Tracy Madigan @ 252-598-0814
Extension Agent: Paul McKenzie @ 252-438-8188

(This is not a paid advertisement)

City of Henderson Logo

Henderson City Council has Full Agenda for May 14 Meeting

-Public Notice, courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson

The Henderson City Council is scheduled to hold their regular meeting on Monday, May 14, 2018, at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 134 Rose Ave., Henderson, NC 27536

Agenda items include:

  • Recognizing retiree Wanda Ball.
  • Consideration of holding a public hearing on the question of annexation for the Salvation Army.
  • Consideration of approval of Ordinance 18-07, 1) Extending the Corporate Limits of the City of Henderson, North Carolina; 2) Assignment of Newly Annexed Areas Ward 2, and 3) Directing the City Attorney to Record Annexation with Vance County Board of Elections, Vance County Register of Deeds and the North Carolina Secretary of State.
  • Consideration of approval of Resolution 18-05-A, Approving a Supplemental Agreement for Funding with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for the Beckford Drive (SR 1165) Widening Project with High Impact Funds in the Amount of $400,000.
  • Consideration of approval of Resolution 18-27, Reimbursement of Special Use Permit Fees for Greenhouse Structures.
  • Consideration of approval of Resolution 18-24, Awarding a Contract to North State Water and Sewer Inc. in the Amount of $159,300 for the ROBCO Manufacturing Water and Sewer Line Extension Project.
  •  Consideration of approval of Ordinance 18-17, FY18 BA #18, Transferring Funds from General Fund Non-Departmental to Public Buildings and Grounds Budget for the Ash Tree Treatment Program.
  •  Consideration of approval of 1) Resolution 18-28, Approving Execution of a Hydraulic Water Modeling Contract with Hazen and Sawyer in the Amount of $66,900; 2) Resolution 18-31, Approving a Contract with Stantec to Develop a Financial Planning and Member Rate Analysis; 3) Ordinance 18-18, FY18 BA #19, Transferring Funds From KLRW Reserves to Contracted Services and 4) Ordinance 18-22, FY18, BA #22 for the Hazen & Sawyer Contract.
  • Consideration of approval of Resolution 18-26, Accepting a Grant/Loan from DWSRF for the Kerr Lake Regional Water System Plant Improvement Project in a total amount of $15,000,000.
  • Consideration of approval of 1) Resolution 18-34, Awarding Change Order #1 for the Newton Dairy Road, Birch and Bobbitt Project; and 2) Approval of Budget Ordinance 18-20, FY18 BA #20, Amending the Budget for the CDBG Infrastructure Project #14-I-2658.
  • Consideration of approval of 1) Resolution 18-33, Approve Change Order #2 to Replace Water Services to HG Reynolds for the Newton Dairy Road, Birch & Bobbitt Project; and 2) Ordinance 18-21, FY18 BA #21, Amending the Budget for the CDBG Infrastructure Project 14-I-2658 (Newton Dairy Road/Birch and Bobbitt Street Sewer Extension Project.
  • Consideration of approval of Resolution 18-32, Authorizing the Demolition of 314 Hillside Alley.
  • Consideration of approval of Resolution 18-35, Authorizing the Application for a State Farm Community Grant by the Henderson Fire Department in the Amount of $25,000.
  • Consideration of approval of Ordinance 18-16, Establishing a No Parking Zone on Zeb Robinson Road.
  • Tax Releases and Refunds from Vance County for the Month of March 2018.

News 05/11/18

City of Henderson Logo

Pavilion, Water and Redevelopment on City’s Plate

Garry Daeke, Henderson City Council member and chairman of the Kerr Lake Regional Water System, was recently on WIZS’ Town Talk call-in show to discuss updates concerning the City of Henderson.

Breckenridge Pavilion

The proposed Breckenridge Pavilion, to be located near the Henderson Police Department in downtown Henderson, will serve as the last piece of the overall Breckenridge Commons project and as the corner piece of the block.

According to Daeke, the landscaping plan for the sited area is expected to be completed and submitted to the City for review within a week. Landscaping work will include, among other tasks, grading, debris removal and parking lot repair.

Groundbreaking is expected to begin on the pavilion this fall, with the City already making plans for future operating procedures. “The City Council has had discussions with the Embassy Foundation about overseeing the booking of events for the pavilion,” Daeke said. “They have been receptive to that.”

Kerr Lake Regional Water System

The Kerr Lake Regional Water System is currently in a two-phase expansion process aimed at increasing the system’s access to the lake’s water supply.

Daeke explained that the first phase of the plan is to increase supply by two million gallons of water. The second phase will bring even greater expansion with up to 20 million gallons of water.

“We can draw from the lake and would pay a fee to have access to the water,” said Daeke. “This is going to give us an increased supply for our partners in Henderson, Oxford and Warren County.”

While the City currently has funding earmarked for the first phase of the project, a new $15 million loan may help the second phase come to fruition.

The proposal to accept the $15 million loan will be discussed at Monday’s City Council meeting.

“We will be able to pull water from Kerr Lake, treat it and send out some of the best water in NC to our customers,” Daeke said.

City Redevelopment Plan

A redevelopment plan to include approximately a quarter of the City, from I-85/Hwy 39 into the downtown area has been in the discussion phase for some time.

“This is the main area for people coming off the interstate and driving into the downtown area and the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center,” said Daeke. “We are trying to do some incredible change in terms of bringing business and industry in, rebuilding houses and revitalizing neighborhoods.”

According to Daeke, the Council hopes to have the redevelopment plan finalized within a year.

“I think this type of planning is what we have to do to help make changes in our whole community – to make it healthier and to draw investment for economic development.”

VGCC Honors Student-Athletes at Banquet

-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College celebrated Vanguard student-athletes at the college’s annual Athletics Banquet, held on March 23 in the Civic Center on the Main Campus.

VGCC Coordinator of Student Activities & Athletics Jermiel Hargrove praised the students for their hard work, both on the court and in the classroom. He recognized, in particular, the women’s volleyball team captain, Hannah Arneth of Oxford, and the men’s basketball team co-captains, Mitch Beck of Raleigh and Kenneth “KJ” Finley, Jr., of Louisburg. Arneth announced she would be continuing her volleyball career in the next academic year at Piedmont International University in Winston-Salem.

From left, VGCC women’s volleyball Head Coach Jessica Smith, student-athletes Hannah Arneth (Defensive Award), Gabrielle Gilley and Amber Newton, and Assistant Coach Kelley Perdue. (VGCC photo)

VGCC Volleyball Head Coach Jessica Smith and Assistant Coach Kelley Perdue presented awards to their players. Hannah Arneth received the Defensive Award. Stormi Abernathy of Leasburg received the Offensive Award. She was also named to the Second Team All-Region and placed second in the Region X conference for total points, Coach Smith noted. Brittany Trivette of Oxford received the “Hustle Award.”

Other volleyball team members recognized included Gabrielle Gilley of Creedmoor, Amber Newton of Louisburg, Autumn Wortham of Henderson, Jessica Wortham of Henderson and team manager Jordan Edwards of Louisburg.

From left, VGCC men’s basketball Head Coach DeMarcus Oliver, student-athletes Calvin Malik Manley, Cora Mbaye, Kalin Jackson (Most Improved), Assistant Coach Eladio Espinosa, student-athlete KJ Finley (Team Leadership Award), Assistant Coach Anthony McCrimmon and student-athlete Mitch Beck (Vanguard Award). (VGCC photo)

Vanguards Men’s Basketball Head Coach DeMarcus Oliver and Assistant Coaches Anthony McCrimmon and Eladio Espinosa presented awards to their student-athletes. The Vanguard Award went to Mitch Beck for excellence in representing the team and VGCC. The Team Leadership Award was presented to KJ Finley. Kalin Jackson of Henderson received the Most Improved Award.

Other basketball players recognized included Obray Rufus of Charlotte, LaQuad Holden of Henderson, Calvin Malik Manley of Louisburg, Bernard Gregory of Petersburg, Va., Cora Mbaye of Raleigh, Kaeson Mayfield of Durham and Brandon Eatman of Wilson.

Current or prospective students interested in participating in VGCC athletics during the 2018-19 year should contact Jermiel Hargrove at hargrovej@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3246.

 

 

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market Opening on Wednesdays!

—Information courtesy Tracy Madigan, VCRFM

Beginning Wednesday, May 16, the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, located at 210 Southpark Dr. in Henderson, will be open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Chef Gavin Jackson will be at the Market with his food trailer, Gavin’s Grub Hub, serving breakfast starting at 8 a.m.

Jackson’s menu includes shrimp & grits, biscuits & gravy, quiches and breakfast style potatoes.

 

For additional information, please contact:

Market Manager: Tracy Madigan @ 252-598-0814

Extension Agent: Paul McKenzie @ 252-438-8188

The Farmers Market building is available for rent. Contact Tracy Madigan for pricing and available dates.

 

**VCRFM accepts and welcomes SNAP/EBT**

Brookston Baptist Church Observing Women’s Day Service, Sun. May 13

The Brookston Baptist Church in Greystone will be observing their annual Women’s Day Service during morning worship on Sunday, May 13, 2018, at 11 a.m.

Rev./Dr. Almice Floyd-Gill, pastor of Blessed Trinity will be the guest speaker.

All are invited to attend.

Economic Development Update 05/09/18

News 05/10/18