State Farmers Market to host Largest Watermelon Contest during annual Watermelon Day July 27

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Top prize $1,000

RALEIGH — The State Farmers Market is looking for the largest watermelon in North Carolina. The public weigh-in and awards ceremony is part of the market’s annual Watermelon Day Thursday, July 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Watermelon growers will have the chance to earn prize money and bragging rights during the Largest Watermelon Contest. The grower with the heaviest watermelon will win $1,000. The runner-up will earn $500, and third and fourth places will earn $300 and $200, respectively.

All entries must be from North Carolina, and growers must be prepared to identify where the watermelon was grown. Melons should be free of decay and soft spots, and stems should be trimmed to 3 inches. Only one entry per person will be allowed.

Entries will be accepted until 11:30 a.m., and the weigh-in will take place at noon. All entries will become the property of the State Farmers Market. The winning watermelon will be on display at the State Farmers Market Restaurant.

Other Watermelon Day activities include free watermelon slices and a visit from the N.C. Watermelon Queen. There also will be fresh local watermelons and watermelon products for sale.

Watermelon Day is sponsored by the N.C. Watermelon Association, State Farmers Market Restaurant, Ford’s Produce, R & H Produce and the State Farmers Market.

North Carolina is the seventh-largest producer of watermelons in the nation, yielding 201,376 pounds in 2016.

The State Farmers Market is one of four state-operated farmers markets in North Carolina. The market offers seasonal produce, fresh meats and seafood, and a large variety of specialty products. The market is also home to Market Imports, Super Sod and three restaurants. More information about Watermelon Day, the contest rules and other special events is available at www.statefarmersmarket.org.

District Attorney’s Schedule August 2017

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Tues, Aug 1          Vance Trial Court (Hobgood) – Pelfrey, Fuller, Allen

                                                **Franklin District Court (Keith) – Gardner, Gregory, Roberson

Vance District Court (Burnette) – Erdmann, Watson/Hargrove

 

Wed, Aug 2                          ##Granville District Court (Stevenson) – Putney, Dickerson

Warren District Court (Davis) – Gregory, Raymond

Granville County Clerk’s Office Hours, Public, 2:00-4:00 pm – Sellars

 

Thurs, Aug 3                        ##Vance District Court (Burnette) – Erdmann, Watson/Hargrove

Granville Dispo Court (Stevenson) – Sellars, Putney, Gregory, Dickerson, Brickhouse

 

Fri, Aug 4                              No Criminal District Court

 

Mon, Aug 7                          Franklin District Court (Keith) – Gardner, Roberson

##Vance District Court (Stevenson) – Louis, Watson/Hargrove

##Granville District Court (Burnette) – Sellars, Dickerson

 

Tues, Aug 8                          Franklin District Court (Davis) – Gregory, Roberson

Vance District Court (Keith) – Pelfrey, Watson/Hargrove

Granville Juvenile Court (Thompson) – Putney

 

Wed, Aug 9                          Granville District Court (Burnette) – Putney, Dickerson

Warren District Court (?????) – Fuller, Raymond

 

Thurs, Aug 10                      Franklin Juvenile Court (Thompson) – Louis

##Vance District Court (Stevenson) – Erdmann, Watson/Hargrove

Franklin Trial Prep – Gardner, Gregory

 

Fri, Aug 11                           Franklin Trial Prep – Gardner, Gregory

Vance Juvenile Court (Stevenson) – Louis

 

Mon, Aug 14        Franklin Trial Court (Holt) – Gardner, Gregory, Johnson

Franklin District Court (Burnette) – Erdmann, Louis, Roberson

##Vance District Court (Keith) – Pelfrey, Watson/Hargrove

##Granville District Court (Stevenson) – Putney, Dickerson

 

Tues, Aug 15                        ##Franklin District Court (Thompson) – Putney, Roberson

Vance District Court (Davis) – Louis, Sellars, Watson/Hargrove

Warren Juvenile Court (Keith) – Fuller

Vance County Clerk’s Office Hours – Attorneys – 2:00-4:00 pm – Erdmann

 

Wed, Aug 16                        Granville District Court (Davis) – Sellars, Dickerson

**Warren District Court (Thompson) – Fuller, Raymond

Vance County Clerk’s Office Hours – Public – 2:00-4:00 pm – Erdmann

 

Thurs, Aug 17                      Vance Dispo Court (Burnette) – Louis, Erdmann, Pelfrey, Watson/Hargrove

Granville Trial Prep – Capps, Sellars, Putney

Warren CMS Prep – Fuller

 

Fri, Aug 18                           Granville Trial Prep – Capps, Sellars, Putney

Warren CMS Prep – Fuller

 

Mon, Aug 21        Granville Trial Court (Hobgood) – Capps, Sellars, Putney, Garrett

Warren CMS Court (Rozier) – Fuller, Pendergrass, Raymond

Franklin District Court (Keith) – Gregory, Roberson

##Vance District Court (Burnette) – Waters, Watson/Hargrove

**Granville District Court (Stevenson) – Gardner, Dickerson

Vance CMS Prep – Pelfrey, Fuller

 

Tues, Aug 22        Vance Probation Court (Rozier) – Gregory, Pendergrass

Franklin District Court (Stevenson) – Gardner, Roberson

Vance District Court (Burnette) – Capps, Waters, Watson/Hargrove

Granville Juvenile Court (Thompson) – Putney or Sellars

Vance CMS Prep – Pelfrey, Fuller

 

Wed, Aug 23        Vance CMS Court (Rozier) – Pelfrey, Fuller, Pendergrass, Allen

                                                Franklin County Clerk’s Office Hours – Attorneys – 2:00-4:00 pm – Gardner

Granville District Court (Thompson) – Gregory, Waters, Dickerson

##Warren District Court (Burnette) – Gardner, Raymond

 

Thurs, Aug 24      Vance CMS Court (Rozier) – Pelfrey, Fuller, Pendergrass, Allen

                                                Franklin Juvenile Court (Davis) – Gregory

Franklin County Clerk’s Office Hours – Public – 2:00-4:00 pm – Gregory

##Vance District Court (Keith) – Waters, Watson/Hargrove

Granville CMS Prep – Capps, Sellars, Putney

 

Fri, Aug 25                           Franklin Dispo Court (Davis) – Gardner, Gregory, Waters

Granville CMS Prep – Capps, Sellars, Putney

 

Mon, Aug 28        Granville CMS Court (Rozier) – Capps, Sellars, Putney, Pendergrass, Garrett

##Franklin District Court (Burnette) – Louis, Roberson

##Vance District Court (Stevenson) – Pelfrey, Watson/Hargrove

Granville District Court (Keith) – Erdmann, Dickerson

Franklin CMS Prep – Gardner, Gregory

 

Tues, Aug 29        Granville CMS Court (Rozier) – Capps, Sellars, Putney, Pendergrass, Garrett

##Franklin District Court (Burnette) – Erdmann, Roberson

Vance District Court (Davis) – Louis, Watson/Hargrove

Warren Juvenile Court (Keith) – Fuller

Franklin CMS Prep – Gardner, Gregory

 

Wed, Aug 30        Franklin CMS Court (Rozier) – Gardner, Gregory, Pendergrass, Johnson

                                                Granville District Court (Keith) – Capps, Dickerson

##Warren District Court (Stevenson) – Fuller, Raymond

 

Thurs, Aug 31      Franklin CMS Court (Rozier) – Gardner, Gregory, Pendergrass, Johnson

**Vance District Court (Thompson) – Capps, Watson/Hargrove

 

**mediator available**

##9:30 am regular docket, PLUS POSSIBLE 2:15 pm DWI docket##

 

News 07/25/17

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VGCC offers Medical Office Administrative Assistant certificate at Franklin Campus

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Area residents will have a new opportunity to gain a credential for jobs in medical offices when the fall semester begins at Vance-Granville Community College on Aug. 14.

The college is scheduling courses to allow students to complete the entire 17-credit-hour “Medical Office Administrative Assistant I” certificate in two semesters at VGCC’s Franklin County Campus near Louisburg. This program provides entry-level skills and knowledge for employment as a health-care team member in an office setting.

Six courses are required for the certificate. Students will take the first three courses during the fall semester, back-to-back, on Tuesdays and Thursdays: Medical Office Terms I (OST 141) from 9-9:50 a.m., Office Procedures (OST 181) from 10-10:50 a.m. and Keyboarding (OST 131) from 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

In the spring, students would take the remaining courses: Introduction to Computers (CIS 110), Medical Office Terms II (OST 142) and Medical Insurance & Billing (OST 148).

Once students complete the certificate, they can also apply those credits to the Associate in Applied Science degree in Medical Office Administration.

Orientation, advising and registration for fall are currently ongoing, through Aug. 10. Financial aid for this certificate program is available to those who qualify.

For more information, contact Tammy Ball at (252) 738-3248 or ballt@vgcc.edu.

–VGCC–

Filing Complete for Local Elections

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Filing for the City of Henderson:

 

Ward 1 At-Large Sara Coffey – Incumbent

Ward 2 At- Large William Burnette

Ward 3 – Garry Daeke – Incumbent

Ward 4- Fearldine Simmons – Incumbent and Blakely Bates

 

Filing for the Town of Kittrell:

 

Jerry Joyner – Mayor – Incumbent

Susan Pulley – Commissioner – Incumbent

Joshua Boyd – Commissioner – Incumbent

Todd Murray – Commissioner

 

Filing for Town of Middleburg:

 

Gary Plummer – Mayor

Ruth Nance – Council member – Incumbent

Mamie Turner – Council member

Annie Fudge – Council member – Incumbent

Boys and Girls Club Offers Summer Update

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Vance County

According to the Old Chinese Proverb “Tell me, I’ll forget. Show me, I may remember. But involve me, and I’ll understand.” The Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central NC Vance Unit are delighted to share that our  2017 Summer Program participants have had a visit from a slew of community representatives  that range from Nutritionist , Military (Army & Navy), Youth of the Year, and Henderson Fire Department.

Anticipating that the Members will be inspired at this young and hoping that some may remember down the road and get involved. Members are looking forward to meeting and talking with our remaining line up of guest.

Featured here our most recent visitor Lieutenant Corey Adams City of Henderson Fire Department Division of Fire Prevention.

Granville County

Summer is always a blast & our members love a wide array of activities. Swimming & dodgeball top their lists, but BGCNCNC wanted to focus on leadership among our older youth this summer.

One of the highlights of our summer has been our partnership with the Penn Ave Soup Kitchen. At the BGC, we are teaching our middle schoolers & high schoolers that they are role models for our younger youth & our community. It has been so exciting to see our teens step up & serve the community. We are so proud to be a place for them to learn & grow. Below, you will see our youth preparing plates & assisting the soup kitchen with their set up.

Warren County

The club kids at Warren County enjoyed our “Around the World” Summer Camp.  We studied France, Mexico, South Africa and Japan! We learned about the culture, landmarks, food, currency, and language of each country.

Each student received a Camp Passport to virtually travel to each country.

Students also enjoyed various field trips.  We visited Aycock Recreation Center for swimming, Market Place Cinema, the Skateeum, and Galaxy Fun Park in Raleigh.

Franklin County

The Franklin Club has been busy this summer! With ages ranging from 5 to 16 all members have been actively participating in Summer Brain Gain each day.

Members participating in hands on activities focusing on leadership, decision making, innovators, and the invention of bubble gum!! Members also enjoyed field trips to swim at Aycock Recreation Center, Brooks St. Bowl, and Jellybeans Skatteum! Members have also enjoyed water relay races, water balloon fights,
and water contests!

Halifax County

We have learned how to stay safe this summer; we have learned how important it is to keep moving.

We have traveled the world, China, Italy, Fiji, France and Mexico only to discover how proud we are to be Americans.

Even with all that we still have plenty of adventures left ahead of us this summer;  more visits to the pool, more art, learning to cook and so much more!!

Better Lighting Coming for Interstates and Major Highways Across North Carolina

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RALEIGH – It will be a brighter drive along many interstates and major highways in North Carolina, as a result of a $30.8 million contract awarded by the N.C. Department of Transportation to upgrade more than 10,600 roadway light fixtures at more than 350 locations across the state.

In addition to improving lighting, the agreement with Trane U.S. Inc. and J. Brady Contracting Inc. will save the state money, as it is expected to result in more than $56 million in reduced electrical and maintenance costs over 15 years. That savings will primarily come from switching from existing high intensity roadway lights to longer-lasting and lower-maintenance LED lights.

Improvements are planned for lights along such interstates as I-95, I-40, I-77 and I-85, as well as I-440, I-540 and the Triangle Expressway in the Raleigh-Durham area, I-485 and I-277 in Charlotte, I-73/74 in the Triad, and I-240 and I-26 around Asheville. Several non-interstate highways around the state will also see lighting improvements.

The contract also calls for upgrading more than 12,000 building lights, including those at rest stops and visitor centers around the state, in addition to weigh stations and NCDOT county maintenance facilities.

The project includes the installation of a lighting and control system that will not only support the maintenance of the lights, but will also save and measure energy usage and lower costs.

Construction work is scheduled to start in September of 2017, with the initial locations still being determined. The light and equipment installation should wrap up in November 2018.

***NCDOT***

News 07/24/17

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The 28th Annual Tar River Festival Coming to Louisburg

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The Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce will host the 28th Annual Tar River Festival on Saturday, October 7th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in downtown Louisburg and Riverbend Park. A time-honored tradition, this year’s festival promises to be better than ever. The festival is a family event with free admission and is held rain or shine.

Live entertainment throughout the day will be provided by the band Big Love. Be sure to sign up for the 2nd annual 5K Tar River Run/Walk. The race circuit is a USATF certified course. Interested participants can register for the race at runsignup.com or at the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce office.

A new featured event this year will be the Tar River Festival BBQ cook-off. BBQ masters from all across North Carolina will compete for prizes. Pulled pork BBQ and BBQ chicken plates will be sold after the judging is completed.

Craft breweries and wineries throughout North Carolina are invited to participate at the festival.

Again, this year, the River of Yesteryear will provide demonstrations of cultural and heritage-based events including more history and learning experiences for the entire family. There will also be a Kid Zone, which will include interactive games, inflatables, rides, face painting, and a cast of characters from Enchanted Wishes – Cinderella, Belle, Tiana, Doc McStuffins, Batman and Robin, Captain America and Spiderman.

For more information contact the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce at 919-496-3056.

Walmart Distribution Presents $5,000 to Boys and Girls Club

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Around 100 Walmart Associates gathered today at the Walmart Distribution Center in Henderson to present the Boys and Girls Club of North Central North Carolina a check for $5,000.

Walmart and the Boys and Girls Club enjoy a unique partnership. Last month, a number of Walmart Associates volunteered their time to help paint much of the Boys and Girls Club on Clark Street in Henderson.

Robert Avery, maintenance operations manger for the Walmart Distribution Center, said, “We appreciate the opportunity to help in the community. We want to thank the 53 associates that volunteered around 260 hours at the Boys and Girls Club last month. We are grateful to be able to help the Boys and Girls Club.”

Mary Ann Avery, Resource Development Director for the Boys and Girls Club of North Central North Carolina, said, “Thanks Walmart for your continued support both financially and with the volunteers you provide. We’re so thankful that Walmart took the lead in helping us revitalize the Boys and Girls Club on Clark Street. We thank them for coming back to volunteer again in August.”

Pictured from left to right are Mary Ann Avery, Evelyn Taylor, Curtis White and Elaine Chavis-Young. All of the above represent the Boys and Girls Club of North Central North Carolina in varying capacities.